You are reading a single comment by @dau and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
When I've had a belt drive, I couldn't kick the feeling that it actually is slower and more sluggish than external gears... Especially when I'd go out riding with my buddies - I'd always have a hard time keeping up the speed.
I loved the silence and maintenance free aspect though - no lubing ever and it just goes.
Might try it again in the future...
dau-
Did you ever ride the same bike with the belt then with a chain? Or vice versa?
I was out on an bunch gravel ride other day and found the pace quite manageable. They only place I suffered was on a long climb and I reckon that was more to do with the weight of the bike (and my fitness) than the belt.
M_V
Love it.
My only complaint of it is that because you run it a lot tighter than a chain it does feel a bit draggy. Mostly feel that turning the pedals by hand, I’m not sure I notice it so much when actually riding. Someone has probably done a scientific comparison.
It’s much smoother than a chain, like if you ‘ratchet’ the pedals with a chain it’ll be klunk klunk klunk as you engage drive, the belt feels softer but in a good way.
The lack of mess when you take it on/off is really nice but that alone wouldn’t sell it to me because it’s not like that’s a daily occurrence.
The best bit for me is those rides where it’s really wet and there’s silty grit around that would normally get all over your chain and have it feeling rough af and it probably never really cleans out/off your chain, doesn’t happen. My drivetrain feels as smooth and clean today as it did the first day I got it.