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What type of chain should I use with the Kindernay hub? 

This is a question that we receive quite frequently. The answer is simple: you can use pretty much any chain you want, as long as it is of the 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 speed type. Why not a wide, heavy duty chain of the single speed type, you might ask? 

Here’s why: on the Kindernay XIV, the hydraulic actuator is placed on the inside of the chainstay. This means that there is limited clearance on the outside of the drive cog, and we have seen that some, wide, single speed chains will rub on the alloy body of the actuator. We suggest that you run a 10 speed or 11 speed chain. They usually weigh less than the other chains, and interestingly enough, many 10 and 11 speed speed chains are significantly more durable than for example 8 speed and 9 speed chains, due to better materials and build quality. 

Why no 12 speed chains on the list? While many of them will work, we find that the 10 speed and 11 speed ones run smoother on the 2.3mm wide drive cog that we use on the Kindernay XIV.

Building a strong wheel on the Kindernay SWAP shell

As we have seen in previous posts, the large hub flange diameter and symmetric hub flanges make the SWAP shell an ideal base for a strong and lightweight wheel.  
Wheel building on the Kindernay SWAP shell is pretty straightforward, but there are a few things to be aware of, namely the extra spoke length vs. regular flange designs, and the specific lacing pattern and direction of the spokes exiting the shell.
Here are some hints and tips for a wheel build on the standard sized (135/142/148mm version) Kindernay SWAP shell.  

The first step is to determine the correct spoke length.
This is easily done by entering the hub specific info into a spoke length calculator.
We use the Wheelpro spoke calculator: https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/spokecalc/

Here is the Kindernay XIV specific hub data that will be entered into the spoke length calculator:

–Hub/flange diameter left side:  100mm   
-Hub/flange diameter right side:  100mm
Flange offset left side:  28mm
-Flange offset right side:  28mm
–Spoke hole diameter:  2.6mm
–Number of spokes: 28
–Lacing pattern left side:  2 cross
–Lacing pattern right side: 2 cross        

When the hub specific info is entered into the calculator, it looks like below. Note: for the example, we are using 2.0mm spokes:

Note that the calculator requests three values called ERD, ASYM and ‘Width between holes’, and they are specific for the rim that will be used. Here is what they mean:
ERD means Effective Rim Diameter. This very important information is usually printed on the rim sticker. If not, it is available from the rim manufacturer (usually listed on the website).
ASYM: This value is 0 for most rims, but some rims have assymetrically drilled spoke holes. For those rims, the ASYM value is available from the rim manufacturer.
‘Width between holes’ is the sideways distance between the spoke holes. This is usually very close to zero, but on so called Plus rims, and in particular, Fatbike rims, this value can be substantial, and must be entered into the calculator.

So far, everything is quite normal, but there are two specific things to keep in mind when finding the spoke length and later when lacing the spokes into the SWAP hub shell.

Spoke length:
Due to the staggered spoke hole pattern of the shell, it is important to add 2.5-3mm vs. the calculated spoke length.
For example, if the spoke calculator calculates a spoke length of 273.2mm, the correct spoke length for the Kindernay XIV SWAP shell will be 276mm.

When the spoke ength is determined, and we have the correct spokes in hand, we need to pay extra attention to the lacing pattern.
On the Kindernay XIV hub, we lace the so called ‘trailing spokes’, from the outside and in.
The so called ‘leading spokes’ are laced from the inside and out.
The ‘trailing spokes’ spokes transfer drive torque and the ‘leading spokes’ transfer braking force.
The reasoning behind this lacing pattern is to reduce bending loads and fatigue on the hub flange on the SWAP shell.

When the lacing is done, the rest of the job is just like any standard bicycle wheel.
Easier than most, in fact, due to the symmetric hub flanges and equal spoke tension between both sides.

 

The Kindernay XIV internal gear hub:  
What it is, and why you want one

Is the concept of internal gear hubs a new one? No. Not even close. The original concept actually goes back to the late 1800s, starting out with 2 speed hubs, then later 3 speeds and more.
Internal gear hubs have been used and are frequently being used on a large number of bikes, worldwide. Not so commonly used on high performance bikes, though, due to some critical limitations.  Until now, that is.     

 Enter the Kindernay XIV internal gear hub.

A massive 543% gear range, combined with a huge 150Nm torque capacity. The unique and critical ability to run 12mm thru axles, for optimal frame stiffness and easy adaptability for various hub widths and mounting standards. 
14 gears with perfectly even, 13.9% steps between them.
An ingenious, separate hub shell, (we call it SWAP), that allows having multiple, easily swappable wheelsets, at a surprisingly low cost.
All this performance, perfectly sealed against the elements, protected from impacts, and  with hardly any maintenance requirements at all.

Sounds too good to be true?                         
Well, it isn’t, and this is what it looks like:

Unlike an external drivetrain, where the derailleur and cassette are open to the elements, the various gears of the Kindernay XIV sit inside the hub shell, permanently lubricated, behind high quality seals. This means that it is well protected against water, sand, mud, rocks, tree stumps, branches and impacts.

For you as a rider, this simply means less problems.
No more broken derailleurs, no more bent derailleur hangers, and finally an end to untimely expenses from costly cassette replacements.

Not only is the single drive cog of the Kindernay hub inexpensive (it costs less than $10), but with a perfect chainline and a durable construction, it also lasts a very long time.  When it finally wears out, you can flip it, effectively doubling the life span.

 In other words, drivetrain maintenance cost is pretty close to nil, especially when we consider that the perfect chainline of the XIV hub also means that the chain will last much longer. More time spent riding, with less time spent replacing parts makes good sense for most riders. 

We mentioned the 12mm thru axle compatibility. How important is that?Pretty much any high performance frame on the market, produced since approx. 2015, are of the 12mm thru axle type. These 12mm thru axles vastly increase the stiffness of the frame/hub interface.

The Kindernay XIV is the only internal gear hub on the market that is designed to be used with a 12mm thru axle. Pretty important stuff, then.

• Have you ever had a shifter cable or shifter housing act up after a ride in muddy or sandy conditions?
• Frayed or corroded cables negatively affecting shifting smoothness and accuracy?
• Ever broken a shifter cable at the most inconvenient time, like in the middle of nowhere, hours from the nearest bike shop?

The hydraulic shifter actuation of the Kindernay XIV makes all those issues a thing of the past.

We all know and love the performance and minimal maintenance level of hydraulic disc brakes; now your shifters can have the same technology and ease of use.
In fact, we use the very same hydraulic lines and hydraulic oil that is used in many disc brakes, in order to make things easy, in case you want to shorten or lengthen the shifter hoses on your Kindernay XIV equipped bike.
With no need to replace worn shifter cables or housing, the shifters are not only maintenance free, but they stay perfectly adjusted as well, since the indexing happens inside the hub.

Ever found yourself stopped at a red light, only to find that you are caught in a way too high of a gear?
With a regular drivetrain, this is a hassle, as they require movement of the rear wheel to change gears.
With the Kindernay XIV, you just push the gear lever to hit your gear. While standing still.

When the light turns green, off you go. In the perfect gear. Every time.

Do you want belt drive, for maximum cleanliness, near silent operation and even less maintenance?
The Kindernay XIV works perfectly with the wildly popular Gates Carbon Drive system.
A Gates Carbon Drive equipped Kindernay XIV looks like this. It is a clean setup. Both in looks and in use.

Have you ever broken the freehub body, pawls or ratchet of a traditional type hub?
Maybe not (yet), but such unintended destruction is not uncommon for many bike riders, and increasingly so, for eBike riders, particularly for those riding eMTBs.
The high torque of the eBike motors place a huge load on the rear hub.
With the oversized clutch packs and massive 150Nm torque handling capability, the Kindernay XIV makes such failures a thing of the past. 
How much torque is 150Nm?
It is more than the peak torque developed by the internal combustion motors found in many family cars.

Quite a bit of torque, then.

Want to have more than one wheelset for your bike?
We all know how different type tires can dramatically increase the capabilities and versatility of a bike. Having various tires mounted on separate wheelsets, always ready to go, without having to dismount and mount the tires every time, makes good sense.
A separate wheelset with slick tires for road use, a wheelset with studded tires for winter use, or perhaps a different size wheelset, like a fast 29er race wheelset on a 27+ trail bike, the options are almost endless. Until now, this has required an often expensive rear hub for each extra wheelset.
This is where the Kindernay SWAP shell comes in.
This clever, separate hubshell, allows having several wheelsets without the cost of purchasing a separate gearhub for each of them.
With a standard Torx key, the Kindernay XIV hub bolts in and out of the SWAP shell in seconds.

Another bonus of the Kindernay hub design is the fact that the wheel build is symmetric.
Symmetry is pretty much always a good thing, and particularly so for bicycle wheels.
Since there is no space-occupying cassette on the drive side of the hub, the spokes can have the same length, meaning that they will be at the same angle on both sides of the wheel.
This symmetry yields a much stronger wheel.
So strong, in fact, that our 28h wheels are significantly stronger than a traditional 32h wheel, while still being lighter and more aerodynamic, thanks to the lower spoke count.

Anything else? Yes, there is. The Kindernay brake rotors are custom made.  They share their mounting bolts with the SWAP shell, saving weight and space. Pretty clever.
As an added bonus, the large bolt circle means that they are stiffer and weigh less. That is a good combination.

In addition, they are bigger than your standard rotors, with our 173mm rotor replacing stock 160mm rotors, and our 193mm rotor replaces 180mm rotors.
The Kindernay torque reaction mount is placed below the brake caliper, lifting it by 6.5mm.
The diameter of a circle equals its radius times two. That is where the extra 13mm comes from.
Bigger rotors means better brakes.  
Not only that, they are pretty nice to look at as well:

Is there any maintenance requirements to this system?
There is, but just a little.

It is limited to an oil change once a year (or 5000km, whatever comes first). 
The oil change is easily done. Quickly, and with no special tools required. 
That’s it for maintenance.

The Kindernay XIV. High performance and convenience. Combined.