Comments on: Singlespeed belt drive

By: Single Speedy

Single Speedy — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:27:14 +0000

Far quieter than cogs. No grease. No drivetrain wear, except at the bearings. Absolutely “stiff” (all power transmitted to the wheels; no mush). Lasts near forever, from all accounts (10,000 miles or more). If they can get the price down, this will be common on single-speeds of all types, commuters, and on bikes with internal-gear hubs. (Admittedly, I tested this out on a US-made, $3,500 Spot 29er mountain bike, so pardon my gushing.)

By: Abio Bikes

Abio Bikes — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:58:59 +0000

Nice bike! I am obviously biased but really like the benefits of chainless bikes. The belt is definitely quieter than the shaft drives but the shaft drives are encased which makes is less prone to damage due to debris, snow, etc.

Really good to see more chainless bikes now in different bike categories!

—–
Abio Bikes
Chainless folding bikes
http://AbioBikes.com

By: Bobbo

Bobbo — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:35:15 +0000

Not a stupid question, but I would imagine the answer is no. Here is why. The belt is quite wide in comparison to a chain and therefore has little flexure capability side to side, thus allowing shifting. Second, a chain is made up of many parts and thus can have some side flexure that allows it to shift over to the next gears. I think the best solution for a belt drive is some form of mechanical gear ratio inside the hub much like the old 3 speeds.

Good question that prompts some perhaps interesting and new ideas.

By: welshcyclist

welshcyclist — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:46:23 +0000

Is this a stupid question, can you have a belt drive fixed to derailleur gears?

By: Matthew

Matthew — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:04:38 +0000

You can’t tell on these pictures, but I saw a close up of the rear axle mounting on a different bike. There the seat stay and chain stay are not connected at the rear dropout, but both stays end with their own dropout. When the rear wheel is put in place the two are clamped and held together by the rear axle. I think when the wheel is removed the chain and seat stay would be flexible enough that a belt could be slipped in between their dropout plates. See the pictures here. http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/article/exclusive-look-belt-driven-trek-cyclo-cross-bike-18828

By: Bobbo

Bobbo — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:41:20 +0000

Thanks Fritz. That sounds like a very interesting structure to be able to open and close. Where does it occur, the pics are rather small to show that kind of detail.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Sun, 04 May 2008 21:55:46 +0000

The belt is a loop – the rear triangle is the part that opens up to allow belt changes.

By: Bobbo

Bobbo — Sun, 04 May 2008 19:09:30 +0000

Cool idea. As a retro grouch myself, I find this is a positive move forward. A few questions? How is the belt put on the bike? Is it a straight belt that feeds through the rear triangle and connected with a “special” link of some sort? Automotive belts are complete circles placed over the drive and driven pulleys from the side, this cannot be accomplished with a bike?

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:25:22 +0000

I’m in favor of the reduced maintenance and removal of greasy chainring, but I think with belt drive you’d still deal with chewed up pant cuffs and ground clearance issues. I’m still in favor of shaft drives ala Dynamic Bicycles.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:42:48 +0000

There is alot of resistance to change in cycling due to the traditions. Remember the “retro-grouches” that refused to adopt index shifting when it was introduced, despite the clear advantages it offered? Belt drives would be terrific, but will face an uphill battle in getting adopted.