Hub derailleur (Shimano Alfine/Nexus) – a maintenance-free drivetrain for your lightweight women's bike
How to ride without worrying about the drivetrain and still look stylish
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Not every bike has to be a rugged gravel steed or a Tour de France sprinter. Sometimes you just want a lightweight, urban bike that will get you to work, to coffee, and then home through the park. No clunking, no skipping, no messy chain, and no searching for the next derailleur cable. Simply: get on, and ride. And that's where the hero of today's story comes in—the hub gear, also known as a planetary drivetrain. More specifically, the Shimano Nexus or Alfine—two systems that do a fantastic job without being inconspicuous.
For those interested in city riding - How to create the perfect city bike?
What is this whole planetary hub thing?
If it sounds like something out of a physics textbook, don't worry. In practice, it's just a clever gear shifting mechanism hidden inside the rear hub. There are no protruding derailleurs, no sprockets, and no cables tangling around the frame. Everything's hidden. Everything's sealed. The whole system is like a watch: you turn it, and the sprockets inside do their thing. It works regardless of whether you're stationary or moving—you can even change gears at a traffic light, without moving the pedals.
With the Nexus 7 or 8, you get a classic, proven setup for city riding. The Alfine 8 or 11 is a more sophisticated version – smoother gearing, quieter operation, better sealing, and the option of disc brakes. The Alfine is also available in an electronic version (Di2), but that's an option for those who want to communicate with their bike via buttons.
For whom does this drive make the biggest difference?
For someone who values comfort over gear control, but still doesn't want to sacrifice quality. For someone who doesn't like tinkering with their bike but values an elegant frame and a clean drivetrain that won't stain the hem of their dress or pant legs. This is a drivetrain for people who want to ride, not mess around.
You don't have to be a bicycle engineer to appreciate how convenient this solution is. You don't have to adjust anything, you don't have to worry about whether the gear shift is "engaging"—everything works because the system is closed. In practice: fewer breakdowns, less lubrication, fewer service visits.
How does it work in everyday use?
Brilliant. A bike with a planetary hub is pure convenience:
- you change gears on the spot, without cranking,
- you don't have to worry about rain, mud, salt in winter,
- the chain works in a straight line - it doesn't fall, squeak, or wobble.
Sure, the drivetrain weighs a bit more. Nexus or Alfine add 1 to 1.5 kg to a standard external derailleur. But honestly? If we're talking about a lightweight woman who's not going to races, but rather to get ice cream through the Mokotów district, it really doesn't matter. You gain so much comfort and peace of mind that you can let her weigh anything. Besides, a bike with a planetary hub simply looks nicer. No tangled cables, no protruding derailleur arms. Clean geometry.
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Okay, are there any downsides?
We won't pretend this is a perfect solution. A hub drivetrain absorbs more energy than a traditional drivetrain—it's less efficient (by as much as several percent). You won't notice this during everyday riding, but if you're planning a vacation trip with panniers, it might start to get in the way.
Another thing: the gear range. The Nexus 7 or even 8 are still city-oriented. You can easily climb overpasses, even with a light load, but don't expect to climb Gubałówka. The Alfine 11 versions have a much wider gear range, but the price is also rising.
And then there's the service. Contrary to what the brochures say, the hub needs lubrication every now and then, and if something really goes wrong, you can't fix it with an Allen key in the basement. It's a closed, precise system. But on the other hand, it only breaks down once every hundred years.
To sum up - is it worth it?
If you're looking for a city bike that's clean, quiet, easy to use, and weather-resistant, the answer is a resounding yes. The Shimano Nexus 8 is currently the gold standard in urban utility bikes. The Alfine 11 is a conscious choice: for those who want a wider range and even more smoothness.
A well-configured bike with a planetary hub is a bike that will last for years. No grimacing, no groaning. A classic urban elegance – it might not start like a road bike, but it's not picky, doesn't disappoint, and looks great.
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