in EMKY bicycles, safety, functionality and design are of equal priority. this is why they are standard equipped with Sturmey Archer or Shimano hubs with foot brakes. it is a solution ensuring almost unattended operation of your EMKY bicycle and helps keep the minimalist EMKY design. hub bodies are made of 6061 aluminium alloy and the mechanism for changing gears is made of steel.

Deciding between available types of hubs is an absolutely individual matter and depends on many factors, such as riding styles or road types. The information below will help highlight the most important aspects when selecting a type of drive.

Sturmey Archer S1C /a single-speed hub with an integrated brake
1260 g

a hub which enables using freewheel (possibility to stop pedalling while riding). It is a modern version of a classical torpedo hub. A solution for those who are looking for flawless and unattended drivetrain method, ensuring low rolling resistance. Due to the capacity to use only one gear, it is most often used in bicycles for city roads or flat asphalt roads with no distinct hills.

Sturmey Archer Duomatic S2C /an internal gear hub with an integrated brake
1400 g

a hub having an internal gear mechanism which directly influences the aesthetics of the whole bicycle, facilitates operation and servicing with no need to assemble cables and hand controls as the user can use two gears: gear 1. (100 %) and gear 2. (138 %). The gear change occurs when the pedals are “kicked” back, ensuring simple and flawless operation. S2C compensates a noticeably higher weight when compared to Sturmey Archer S1C single-speed hub with the possibility to adjust the gear ratio to a lowering or increasing load at the moment. Thus, it is a solution for urban conditions and hilly roads.

Shimano Nexus Inter 7 /an internal gear hub with an integrated brake
1915 g

a hub with an internal gear shift mechanism, allowing for using one of the seven gear ratios while driving, with the total range of 244%. selecting a particular gear on the shift lever results in a change of the gear system, which modifies the leverage ratio according to the following values:

gear 1. 0.632 gear 2. 0.741 gear 3. 0.843
gear 4. 0.989 gear 5. 1.145 gear 6.1.335 gear 7. 1.545

thanks to the use of an advanced system of planetary gearboxes, the change of gears takes place without affecting the ride smoothness, regardless of the crank movement – both while pedalling and during a stop.

the hub has an internal torpedo brake, initiated by turning pedals backwards.

Shimano Nexus Inter 7 allows for using a wide range of gear change, however it requires placing the shift lever on the handlebar and leading the steering cable to the rear wheel hub. The use of an external cable leading system would help to avoid the interference in the design of EMKY minimalist bicycle, however compared to Sturmey Archer S1C and Sturmey Archer Duomatic S2C hubs, which do not need shift levers and cables, Shimano Nexus 7 interferes in the frame and whole EMKY bicycle design to a greater extent.

COMFORT is a range of the most universal intended use in the whole EMKY collection.
Correlating 40 mm wide tyres, size 27.5”, with a tall handlebar and wider pedals, as compared to CLASSIC range, provides an easy and pleasant ride beyond hardened roads, and that is why crossing obstacles, such as longitudinal road cracks, gaps or tram rails, is less demanding. hence, COMFORT range is perfect for people looking for a bicycle for both city use and for diverse surfaces. universal intended use of this range and high comfort of use is conditioned by higher rolling resistance and lower pedalling efficiency during a ride, which can be felt especially during long expeditions on hardened roads.

moderately inclined position, 35 mm wide tyres in size 28” with low rolling resistance, and a 7-speed planetary hub ensure proper comfort during a longer ride on any hardened surfaces, both during recreational urban rides and on long expeditions. thereby EMKY City is a range of urban-tourist character, which is designed for those looking for a compromise between dynamic and aggressive riding in an inclined position with minimum tyre rolling resistance (URBAN and CLASSIC ranges) and more peaceful and less efficient pedalling but in a comfortable upright position and on significantly wider tyres (COMFORT range).

a range inspired by a search for perfect correlation of pedalling efficiency, aerodynamic position, and classic style. it is dedicated to users expecting energetic rides in an inclined position, which is enabled by a 7-speed hub, Shimano Nexus 7, and EMKY pedals, factory-configured with MKS Japan toe clips, facilitating stable foot holding on a pedal during a ride (without the need to use sports shoes with catches). a longer wheelbase, as compared to CLASSIC range, has a positive impact on the bicycle stability during fast rides.

EMKY CLASSIC range was designed for those looking for a bicycle with a short wheelbase, thus a very manoeuvrable one, enabling a dynamic ride in urban areas. using a single speed or two-speed hub in this range excludes the necessity to use cables and gear shifters, which directly affects a neat look and low weight of the bike. such arrangement expresses our tribute to minimalist simplicity of everyday object designs. every model below is available in 6 configuration versions.

Sturmey Archer chainrings set (15 t – 20 t)

The gear ratio, i.e. the ratio of the numbers of teeth of both chainrings, used in the drive system determines your individual riding style to a great extent. The ratio determines the strength with which you need to pedal when moving off and the number of necessary crank turns to reach a specified speed when cycling. By changing it, you will adapt the easiness of pedalling to your preferences, skills, technique, and road type.

If you are the EMKY bicycle Owner and consider changing the factory value of the gear ratio in your bicycle, for example if the ratio value is too high and you find it difficult to move off or if the ratio value is too low, which makes the speeds reached by you insufficient at a big number of crank turns, below we present Sturmey Archer chainrings set in a range between 15 and 20 teeth.

Most often the chainring is replaced when:

1) the ratio value is too high, which makes it difficult to move off
2) the ratio value is too low and the speeds reached at a high cadence (cadence – the number of full crank turns per minute) are insufficient
3) the change of road type is planned, if the topography is going to be different than before (steep hills upwards, etc.)

A wide range of chainrings, included in the set, allows to change the gear ratio value many times during the lifetime of the EMKY bicycle. Using a proper chainring, increase the ratio value according to the development of your skills and cycling techniques, fitness, and willingness to reach high speeds while cycling or decrease its value if you would like to move off easily or uphill rather than reach high maximum speed.

Find your EMKY bicycle model in the list below and check the gear ratio available.

EMKY + Sturmey Archer S1C hub

factory ratio 17 t → 2,7

suggested ratio:
when using the chainring 15 t → 3,06 ↑
when using the chainring 16 t → 2,88 ↑
when using the chainring 17 t → 2,70 – factory ratio
when using the chainring 18 t → 2,55 ↓
when using the chainring 19 t → 2,42 ↓
when using the chainring 20 t → 2,30 ↓

EMKY + Sturmey Archer Duomatic S2C hub

factory ratio (17 t) / gear 1. → 2,7 / gear 2. → 3,73

suggested ratio:
when using the chainring 15 t / gear 1. → 3,06 / gear 2.→ 4,23 ↑
when using the chainring 16 t / gear 1. → 2,88 / gear 2.→ 3,97 ↑
when using the chainring 17 t / gear 1. → 2,7 / gear 2.→ 3,73 –factory ratio
when using the chainring 18 t / gear 1. → 2,55 / gear 2.→ 3,53 ↓
when using the chainring 19 t / gear 1. → 2,42 / gear 2.→ 3,34 ↓
when using the chainring 20 t / gear 1. → 2,3 / gear 2.→ 3,17 ↓

EMKY & + Sturmey Archer S1C hub

factory ratio 17 t → 2,82

suggested ratio:
when using the chainring 15 t → 3,2 ↑
when using the chainring 16 t → 3,0 ↑
when using the chainring 17 t → 2,82 – factory ratio
when using the chainring 18 t → 2,66 ↓
when using the chainring 19 t → 2,53 ↓
when using the chainring 20 t → 2,4 ↓

EMKY & + Sturmey Archer Duomatic S2C hub

factory ratio (18 t) / gear 1. → 2,67 / gear 2. → 3,67

suggested ratio:
when using the chainring 15 t / gear 1. → 3,2 / gear 2.→ 4,42 ↑
when using the chainring 16 t / gear 1. → 3,0 / gear 2.→ 4,14 ↑
when using the chainring 17 t / gear 1. → 2,82 /gear 2.→ 3,9 ↑
when using the chainring 18 t / gear 1. → 2,67 / gear 2.→ 3,67 – factory ratio
when using the chainring 19 t / gear 1. → 2,53 / gear 2.→ 3,49 ↓
when using the chainring 20 t / gear 1. → 2,4 / gear 2.→ 3,3 ↓