what are the advantages and disadvantages of a shaft bike and a hub gear?

Answer 1

Shaft. Complication and weight, plus possibly torque reaction (not too bad on a bicycle). Not a mature technology, so possible benefits outweighed by potential teething problems.

Hub gears. Lower maint, but slightly less efficient.

Answer 2

There isn't one to speak of. Except perhaps that chain final drive bikes do tend to be cheaper than shaft and a little lighter. The maintenance on a chain isn't anything to get worried about and shouldn't stop you getting a bike with chain final drive if that's what you want. Shafts are pretty much maintenance free.....people harp on about changing the hypoid gear oil yearly but we've had shaft driven bikes for years and don't do it and never have. If you keep a bike long enough to change the shaft oil then it's easy enough but you can forget about having to do it every year. Our 29 year old shaft drive Honda tells us you don't need to.

Answer 3

Advantages of a shaft are very durable and good response. Dis advantages are sideways torque and 'bunny-hops' on extreme power situations.
Hub gears are extremely responsive and tried and tested, but also more components to break down and slight loss of power in transmission. If you can try both on someone elses ride and see which you prefer. Good Luck

Answer 4

I used to ride a Magot. This had shaft drive. The bike would lean to the right (Only a little) as more power applied. You also had to take account of engine braking (IE, this would slow you down more, coming off of the power that would be that case for a chain drive.) They are also not as responsive on accelleration.

On the plus side, no maintenance. You only have to check the oil periodically. Also, you don't suffer from a delay between applying power and setting off due to chain wear. Also, you do not have to replace chain and sprokets at regular intervals. However, when it dies, it dies.

Luck