Shaft Drive Versus Chain
Shaft Drive Bikes vs. Chain-Derailleur Bikes |
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| Features | Dynamic Bicycles Shaft Drive Bikes |
Chain-Derailleur Bikes |
| Frame construction | Aluminum Alloy | Aluminum Alloy |
| Gear Components | Shimano Nexus | Shimano, SRAM |
| Gear Changes | Fast and seamless gear changes | Delayed and inconsistent shifting |
| Maintenance | Low - No chain or derailleur to align or adjust | High - Requires regular adjustment and alignment |
| Durability | Highly durable aluminum components | Fully exposed derailleur and chainwheel system |
| Resilience to Elements | Fully internal gearing sealed and protected from rain, salt, dirt, debris and falls | External gearing adversely affected by rain, dirt and debris, and easily misaligned by improper handling or falls |
| Ground Clearance (to drive system parts) |
13+ inches to shaft drive | ~ 8 inches to derailleur, chain and sprocket |
| Safety | Gears fully enclosed in shaft-drive, nothing to catch on clothing; no more "chain bite" | Chain and/or derailleur can tear clothing and cut hands |
| Efficiency | 94% efficient (consistent with minimal maintenance) | 75% - 97% efficient (varies depending on condition and upkeep) |
| Gear Range | 8-speed = range of 20 gears 7-speed = range of 17 gears 3-speed = range of 12 gears |
21-gear or 24-gear |
| Noise | Low | High |
| Ease of Handling & Transport | Easy - no grease | Dirty and greasy chain; sharp spokes |
