Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Norway-based Kindernay’s unique internally geared hubs caught our attention at the kolektif bike fair in Berlin earlier this year, and we checked in with the manufacturer to learn more about their unique 7-speed VII and 14-speed XIV hub systems. Find further details and photos of both here…
We first spotted Norwegian manufacturer Kindernay’s hubs during our coverage of this year’s kolektif bike fair in Berlin (find that in the Related Content grid below), when Berlin-based builder Konstantin Drust of Drust Cycles (@drustcycles) unveiled his personal all-terrain rig. For those unfamiliar, Kindernay says their lightweight internal-gear system delivers an “instant, accurate, and maintenance-free shifting experience,” and the brand prides itself on designing durable, long-lasting products.
At present, Kindernay offers two systems: the 7-speed VII gear hub, which offers a range of 428%, and the 14-speed XIV gear hub, which boasts a range of 543%. The two hubs weigh in at 1,200 grams and 1,400 grams, respectively, and they’re compatible with most axles and disc brake systems. Both can be operated by Kindernay’s HYSEQ Onesie or HYSEQ Twosie shifters. The Onesie is a beautifully machined, thumb-operated hydraulic shifter with both levers on the right side, and the Twosie has one lever on either side of the handlebar.
The Kindernay team says their internally geared hub system differentiates itself from other systems by way of its instant hydraulic shift with a unique planetary gear system with power-transferring clutches that work seamlessly and don’t require the rider to be pedaling. The VII has 24 points of engagement with even 28% intervals and the XIV has 24 points of engagement with 13.9% intervals. We asked Konstantin how he’s been getting along with his VII after a few months of real-world testing, and he said, “It’s been awesome. I love the range and the jumps between gears, and I think it suits my riding style better than having 12 gears with tiny jumps in between. I’d absolutely recommend it, and I plan on building another bike around one soon.”
Another unique selling point of the Kindernay internal-gear hubs is that they’re easily swappable between bikes via the company’s Swap Cage system. These separate hub shells allow you to have several wheelsets without the high cost of purchasing a separate gear hub for each of them. The hub system can be swapped in and out in seconds using only a Torx key.
Of course, all this technology comes at a cost. The Kindernay VII will set you back €1,148.85 ($1,225), and the XIV is priced at €1,437.50 ($1,530), both excluding VAT. The two hub systems come with your choice of shifters and a two-year warranty.
You can find additional details over at Kindernay.com or through their German distributor at Trail.Camp.
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