Bicycle drive

Buying advice for: Bicycle drive

• Drive types

  The drive is the centrepiece of a bicycle and plays a key role in determining its efficiency and riding dynamics. The chain drive is the most common type of drive. It consists of a chain that transmits the power from the chainring on the crank to the sprocket on the rear wheel hub. Chain drives are known for their efficiency and versatility, making them the preferred choice for road bikes, mountain bikes and everyday bikes. The belt drive is a low-maintenance alternative to the chain drive. Instead of a chain, a toothed belt is used, which requires no lubrication and is less susceptible to dirt. Belt drives are particularly popular for urban bikes and trekking bikes. Hub gears offer an integrated shifting mechanism in the rear wheel hub. These systems, such as the Nexus or Alfine hubs from Shimano, offer a clean look and low maintenance, as the shifting mechanism is protected from external influences. Hub gears are ideal for city and touring bikes.

• Drivetrain brands

  Shimano is the leading supplier of bicycle components and offers a wide range of drivetrain systems for different types of bicycles. Series such as Shimano Deore, XT and XTR are very popular with mountain bikers, while the Ultegra and Dura-Ace series are the choice of many road cyclists. SRAM is known for innovative drivetrain solutions, especially in the mountain bike segment. The SRAM Eagle series offers a wide gear range with 12-speed cassettes that are ideal for demanding terrain. Campagnolo is primarily aimed at road cyclists and offers high-precision groupsets such as Chorus, Record and Super Record, which are recognised for their excellent workmanship and shifting performance. Gates Carbon Drive is the leading supplier of belt drives. These systems are widely used in urban bikes and trekking bikes in particular.

• Materials and workmanship

  The materials and workmanship of the drive components are decisive for their performance and durability. Chains are usually made of alloy steel to ensure high tensile strength and wear resistance. High-quality chains are often provided with special coatings to reduce friction and extend their service life. Chainrings and cassettes are made of aluminium or steel. Aluminium is lighter, while steel offers a longer service life. High quality chainrings and cassettes are precision machined to ensure smooth shifting. Belt drives are made of high-strength carbon and polyurethane, which gives them excellent durability.

• Technical features

  Shifting precision is an essential feature, especially on road bikes and mountain bikes where fast and accurate gear changes are required. Electronic shifting systems such as Shimano Di2 and SRAM eTap offer maximum precision here. Gear gradation is another important aspect. Wide cassettes with up to 12 gears allow riders to find the ideal gear ratio for different types of terrain. For hub gears, models such as the Rohloff hub offer even gear distribution and high reliability.