Selecting the correct gear system is a decisive factor for cycling enjoyment. The ratio between the lowest and highest gears (the overall range) determines the degree of incline that can be ridden and the maximum achievable speed on the plain. The difference between two neighbouring gears (the increment) determines the comfort and ease with which your speed and momentum can be maintained over different terrains. 

When the overall range, gear count and the increments conform, riding enjoyment increases as the gear system is effortless and intuitive to use in all situations, including whilst stationary. 

The high shifting speed and effortless gear selection through one simple twist of a shifter (regardless of whether the cyclist is stationary) is simply unachievable for a derrailleur system. 

The right gear system plays a very important role in making bike riding fun. The difference between the largest and the smallest gears (range of gears) and the size of the increases between them play a large part in deciding which riding situation the gear system has been taylored to (e.g. High speed racing). The size of the increases between gears will decide how smoothly the flow is from gear to gear. Tuning the range of gears, the number of gears and the increases between each of these gears will eventually define the riding fun.

The shifting between gears in all riding situations (including whilst stationary) must then be made as light and intuitive as posible in order to maximise the riding fun. If the range of gears lies over 500% and the increase between these gears lies under 15% but remains evenly spaced out, then the sports rider (as well as the hobby rider) has the ability to change gears at the precise moment when needed, regardless of the current riding conditions and without changing the comfortable crank rotation speed. This is only possible with the high performance hub Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14.

The diagram below shows a comparison between a 27-speed derailleur gear system and the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14. There is no difference between the range of gears and the range of effective gears. Next to this is the optimum, evenly increased speeds of the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14. Impossible for the derailleur gear system is the shifting speed and the possibility of shifting through all gears with just one shifter whilst stationary or whilst pedaling. Just like the derailleur system, the range of gears can be taylored to the riders individual wishes whether that be for a faster or a slower riding style.