The short version: a derailleur is lighter, cheaper, and has a wider gear range, but its gears are out in the weather and need regular care. An internal gear hub seals everything inside the rear wheel — low-maintenance, weatherproof, shifts at a standstill — at the cost of weight, price, and range. For low-fuss everyday riding the hub is often the quieter, happier choice; for long or hilly days the derailleur still leads.
What each one is
A derailleur is the familiar setup: a stack of sprockets at the back wheel and a spring-loaded arm that lifts the chain from one to the next. It’s what most bikes use.
An internal gear hub (IGH) hides all the gears inside a sealed rear hub. From outside you see one sprocket and a clean chain line — the shifting happens out of sight and out of the weather.
The honest head-to-head
| Internal gear hub | Derailleur | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very low — sealed away from grit and rain | Regular cleaning, oiling, occasional adjustment |
| Weather | Shrugs off rain, salt, and grime | Exposed; wears faster in wet and winter |
| Shift at a stop | Yes — change gear while stationary | No — you must be pedalling |
| Gear range | Narrower; a basic hub struggles on steep hills | Wider spread, better for big climbs |
| Weight & cost | Heavier and pricier up front | Lighter and cheaper |
| Repairs | Usually a specialist | Any shop, often a quick fix |
| Pairs with | Belt drive (no oil, no rust, long life) | Standard chain |
Which suits your riding
- Short-to-medium, all-weather, low-fuss commuting → an internal hub (often with a belt) is the set-and-forget choice, which is why so many city and Dutch-style bikes use one.
- Hills, distance, or varied terrain → a derailleur’s range and lighter weight earn their keep.
- You enjoy tinkering, or want the cheapest capable setup → a derailleur, kept clean.
- You’d rather not think about the bike at all → a hub.
Before you decide
The transmission is one detail on a whole bike — pick the bike first, then the gearing follows the terrain and how much maintenance you want to do. If you’re still choosing the bike itself, start with which bike is right for you.
This guide covers durable, mechanical differences between the two systems, not specific models — the right answer follows your terrain and your appetite for upkeep, both of which you can read off your own week.