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I am puzzled by the choice of derailleur gears over intra-hub gears. The motivation must have been that it allows the integrated rims and hubs, which are proba

I am puzzled by the choice of derailleur gears over intra-hub gears. The motivation must have been that it allows the integrated rims and hubs, which are probably much easier to manufacture than spoked wheels at this size. The downsides seem significant though: A derailleur with gears this small is going to wear very quickly, and when it is time to replace it, you just have to hope that Kwiggle is still around to supply you with spares. I have been a bike-fiddler since my teenage years, but it was only recently (40+) I tried taking apart an intra-hub gear. To my surprise, the whole gear mechanism is fitted to the axle an can be replaced in one go [0]. The only functional parts of the hub/housing is half-bearings and ratchets. The cool approach for Kwiggle would be to replicate these and just pop in a Shimano gear. [0]: https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/sm/SM-IHG-INTER7_ENG.pdf https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/sm/SM-IHG-INTER7_ENG.pdf page 43 ff.

kwigglebike 5y ago
We have customers that have driven more than 7000km on their first gear set
askvictor 5y ago
Hub gears are also comparatively heavy; one of the selling points of this is it's low weight.
MrKwiggle 5y ago
For your information: I am the owner of Kwiggle. The sprockets on the Kwiggle have 7, 8 and 10 teeth and are naturally more stressed than larger sprockets. That's why we use sprocket material that is significantly more wear resistant than anything on the bike market, including Shimano and Campagnolo. The chain is Connex 8Sx, the best you can get. Our first customers are already almost 8,000 km on the road with first set of chain and sprockets.
veltas 5y ago
Okay less maintainable if it breaks but ... will it really break? I've done loads of miles on my bike with derailleur gears and that's not shown any sign of wear or failure.
- MrKwiggle 5y ago
  Each chain and sprocket are subject to wear. Each sprocket of any bicycle must be replaced after a certain time. And the chain elongates and must also be replaced at some point. The chain also elongates on the Kwiggle, but the sprockets adjust to the elongation. Therefore also with the Kwiggle, the sprockets and the chain must then be replaced at some point. One of our first customers drives already 8,000 km still with the first chain and sprockets. This is quite much for a bicycle.

kwigglebike 5y ago

We have customers that have driven more than 7000km on their first gear set

askvictor 5y ago

Hub gears are also comparatively heavy; one of the selling points of this is it's low weight.

MrKwiggle 5y ago

For your information: I am the owner of Kwiggle. The sprockets on the Kwiggle have 7, 8 and 10 teeth and are naturally more stressed than larger sprockets. That's why we use sprocket material that is significantly more wear resistant than anything on the bike market, including Shimano and Campagnolo. The chain is Connex 8Sx, the best you can get. Our first customers are already almost 8,000 km on the road with first set of chain and sprockets.

veltas 5y ago

Okay less maintainable if it breaks but ... will it really break? I've done loads of miles on my bike with derailleur gears and that's not shown any sign of wear or failure.

MrKwiggle 5y ago
Each chain and sprocket are subject to wear. Each sprocket of any bicycle must be replaced after a certain time. And the chain elongates and must also be replaced at some point. The chain also elongates on the Kwiggle, but the sprockets adjust to the elongation. Therefore also with the Kwiggle, the sprockets and the chain must then be replaced at some point. One of our first customers drives already 8,000 km still with the first chain and sprockets. This is quite much for a bicycle.