derailleur, hub gear, or Enviolo
Four very different systems, one job: changing gear. The question we hear most often is simple — do I need to stop pedalling to shift, or not? The answer depends entirely on your system, and that's exactly what this guide sorts out.
Almost every e-bike we see in the shop has one of four gear systems: a derailleur (the classic chain-across-sprockets setup you probably know from home), a hub gear such as Shimano Nexus or Alfine, a continuously variable hub such as Enviolo (formerly NuVinci), or an electronic system such as Rohloff E-14 or Shimano Di2. From the outside they can look similar — a shifter on the handlebar, a cable running to the back — but what happens inside is completely different. And that difference decides how you shift, how much maintenance the bike needs, and what can go wrong if you get it wrong.
If you've cycled elsewhere, this is worth reading closely: hub gears are the default on classic Dutch city bikes in a way they simply aren't in a lot of other countries, where derailleurs dominate. So if you've just bought your first Dutch bike and the shifting feels unfamiliar, that's completely normal — you're likely dealing with a hub gear or Enviolo for the first time, not a fault.
Most of the shifting complaints we see in the workshop aren't caused by a bad system, but by someone shifting the way they did on their previous bike — and the new system simply behaves differently. Shift a hub gear the way you'd shift a derailleur (pedalling hard through the change) and it usually still works, just feels odd. Shift a derailleur the way you'd shift a hub gear (stopping pedalling completely at speed) and you risk the chain not indexing properly, or coming off altogether.
Below we line up all four systems: how to shift each one, what they cost in maintenance, and which bike types typically carry which system. For step-by-step adjustment and troubleshooting guides for Nexus and Enviolo specifically, see the linked pages further down.
Short answer: it depends on your system. Here's how we explain the four situations to customers in the shop.
On a derailleur (Shimano Deore, Altus, Acera, SRAM NX/GX) the chain needs to be moving to jump across to a different sprocket. So keep pedalling, but lighten off — "ease off the pedals" — right as you shift. Shifting while stationary doesn't work: the chain is sitting still on the sprocket and has nowhere to move to.
not at a standstillOn a Shimano Nexus or Alfine, the shifting mechanism sits inside the hub, not in the chain. That means you can shift perfectly well while stopped at a traffic light. While riding, it shifts most smoothly if you briefly ease off the pedals; shifting under heavy load repeatedly can put extra strain on the hub over time.
works at a standstill tooEnviolo is a continuously variable transmission (CVT): there are no discrete "clicks" between gears, so there's no single moment where something has to jump across. You can, in principle, shift while pedalling at full power or while stationary. It still shifts noticeably lighter and smoother if you ease the pressure off the pedals for a moment.
most flexibleOn Rohloff E-14 or Bosch eShift-linked systems (for example, Enviolo Automatiq), you press a button and the motor itself arranges a very brief interruption in drive force at the moment of shifting. You don't need to think about pedal pressure at all — that's called shift detection, which we explain further below.
handled automaticallyDon't know which system you have? Look at your rear wheel: a thick, sealed hub (often with a small cable running to it) means a hub gear or Enviolo. A visible "hanging" mechanism with small pulley wheels below your cassette means a derailleur. Still unsure? Send us a photo via WhatsApp — we can tell at a glance.
No system is objectively "better" — it depends on how much maintenance you want to do and how you use the bike.
| System | Maintenance | Weight | Belt drive possible | Coaster brake | Price indication | Vulnerable in a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derailleur | Regular adjustment, chain lubrication/replacement | Lightest | No | No | Low – mid | Yes, the rear derailleur bends easily |
| Nexus / Alfine | Low, occasional cable adjustment | Heavier | Yes | Usually (depends on the brake — not with a roller-brake combination) | Mid | No, the hub is protected |
| Enviolo / NuVinci | Practically maintenance-free | Heaviest | Yes | Usually yes | Mid – high | No, the hub is protected |
| Rohloff / eShift | Very low; oil change roughly every 5,000 km (Rohloff) | Heavy | Yes | No on electronically-shifted systems (verify per model) | High | No, the mechanism is protected |
Price indications are rough guides for complete systems (hub or derailleur including shifter) and can vary considerably by brand, spec and supplier. Ask us for a concrete quote for your specific bike.
Riding on Bosch — around 80% of our bikes — the motor itself plays a role in how smooth shifting feels.
Most Bosch mid-drive motors (Active Line, Performance Line, Performance Line CX, on the more recent generations) have a feature that recognises the moment you shift via sensors in the motor. As soon as it detects a shift, the motor briefly reduces assistance, so the chain or hub is under less load at the moment it changes gear. This works with most derailleur and hub-gear systems and happens automatically — in practice, you'll mainly notice that shifting feels smoother than you'd expect from the drivetrain alone.
"eShift" is the electronic link between a Bosch motor and a compatible gear system, such as Enviolo Automatiq or Rohloff E-14. There, shifting doesn't run through a cable at all but happens fully electronically — sometimes even automatically, based on your pedalling cadence. Not every Bosch e-bike has eShift; it's a specific combination of motor, display and hub/gear system. If you're not sure whether your bike has it, check the manual or ask us.
Not every system fits every type of bike, and a few brands go their own way entirely.
Usually Nexus 3–7 or Enviolo. Low maintenance, comfortable shifting, well suited to daily use and Dutch weather — this is the classic setup on a Dutch city bike.
Often a derailleur (Shimano Deore/Altus up to XT, SRAM NX/GX) for a wider gear range and lower weight — suited to hills and longer rides.
On brands like Urban Arrow, Lovens and Babboe, we see Enviolo a lot: low maintenance and well suited to the extra weight of children and cargo.
VanMoof and Cowboy use their own integrated (partly automated) system that isn't interchangeable with Nexus, Enviolo or a standard derailleur — parts and adjustment run through their own dealer network. Brompton uses a specific combination of a small derailleur together with a hub gear (2, 3 or 6-speed), which gives yet another shifting logic than a "regular" derailleur or hub-gear bike. If you're unsure about your brand, ask us before attempting any adjustment yourself.
An overview of brands, model names and parts — so you know what you're looking at, or what to ask for.
Shimano Nexus 3 / 5 / 7 / 8, Inter-5E, Alfine 8 / 11, Alfine Di2 (electronically shifted); Sturmey Archer hubs.
Enviolo City, Trekking, Sportive, Cargo, Heavy Duty, Extreme and Automatiq; older models were badged NuVinci N330, N360, N380 and Harmony.
Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 and E-14; Pinion (gearbox built into the frame); Shimano Di2 (electronic derailleur).
Shimano Tourney, Altus, Acera, Alivio, Deore, Cues, and on sportier e-bikes up to XT; SRAM NX, GX and X5; microSHIFT as a budget option.
Trigger shifter (thumb lever), twist-grip shifter (e.g. Revo Shift), and on some e-bikes electronic button control for Di2/eShift/Automatiq.
Gates Carbon Drive CDX and CDN (belt drive — only compatible with a hub gear, Enviolo or Rohloff, never with a derailleur).
In our shop you'll see every variant side by side: of our roughly 350 bikes, about a quarter run a derailleur, a large share run Nexus (5, 7 or 8), around 50 run Enviolo or NuVinci, a handful run Alfine or Rohloff, and about 35 run a Gates belt instead of a chain.
Derailleur — a mechanism that physically pushes the chain across to a different sprocket.
Hub gear — a gear mechanism hidden inside the rear hub, with fixed (discrete) gear steps.
CVT (continuously variable transmission) — infinitely many gear ratios without "clicks" between them, as used by Enviolo.
Cassette — the set of sprockets on the rear wheel of a derailleur system.
Chain line — the straight line between front and rear chainrings; important for smooth, quiet shifting.
Gates Carbon Drive — a carbon-fibre belt drive brand used instead of a chain; low maintenance and clean.
Shift detection — a Bosch motor feature that senses a gear change and briefly reduces assistance.
eShift — the electronic link between a motor and a gear system (e.g. Bosch with Enviolo Automatiq or Rohloff E-14).
Coaster brake — a brake operated by pedalling backwards; not compatible with every gear system.
Trigger shifter — a gear lever operated with thumb and finger, common on derailleur systems.
Twist shifter (Revo Shift) — a rotating grip shifter, widely used with hub gears and Enviolo.
Gear range — the difference between the lightest and heaviest gear, expressed as a percentage.
Gear ratio — the relationship between pedalling motion and wheel rotation; determines how heavy or light a gear feels.
Freewheel — a mechanism that lets the wheel turn freely without pedalling.
Every bike that leaves our shop has been checked on shifting behaviour — not just "it works", but "it shifts smoothly".
See our workshop rates for an indication of what adjustment or replacement costs.
Do I need to stop pedalling to shift on my e-bike?
It depends on your system. On a derailleur, keep pedalling but ease off the pressure; on a hub gear or Enviolo, it's fine to shift while stationary or under full power. On an electronic system, the motor arranges a brief interruption itself.
What's the difference between a derailleur and a hub gear?
A derailleur physically moves the chain between sprockets on the outside of the wheel; a hub gear is hidden inside the rear hub and shifts internally. Hub gears need less maintenance but are heavier.
Is Enviolo the same as NuVinci?
Yes — Enviolo is the current brand name for what used to be sold as NuVinci (for example the N330, N360 and N380). The underlying continuously variable principle is the same.
Can I convert an e-bike with a hub gear to belt drive?
Often not without changes: a belt needs a "splittable" frame (a break in the chainstay or frame), because a closed belt can't be opened like a chain. Always have this checked before ordering anything.
What exactly does Bosch shift detection do?
The motor senses via its sensors that you're shifting and briefly reduces assistance, so the gear change is smoother and the drivetrain is under less load. This is different from eShift, the electronic link between the motor and the gear system.
Which system needs the least maintenance?
Enviolo and Rohloff are known as the lowest-maintenance systems: no indexing to drift out of adjustment, and Rohloff only needs an oil change roughly every 5,000 km. A derailleur needs adjusting most often.
Can I pedal backwards with every system?
Not always — it depends on the combination with your brake. With a roller brake or rim brake, backpedalling is usually fine; with some hub and coaster-brake combinations it isn't. Check this per bike, as it varies by spec.
Nederlandse versie: versnellingen-e-bike
Send us a photo or the brand of your bike over WhatsApp — we'll tell you exactly which system it is and what's involved in maintaining it.
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