Belt drive fixed

the 15.8mm will fit my stays perfectly.

I wonder how much it would cost? given that an S&S coupling for the top and down tube retrofitted on an existing frame cost at least £400 alone.

Bob Jackson intall/sell them. At a good price too.
http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/ss.php

Although the ones designed to be installed on the chain/seat stay (for belt drive) would be a smaller version, than those designed to split the frame for transport. Would'nt they?

http://web.me.com/matthewreeves/Site/belt_drive.html

This post reminded me that I was admiring one of those Treks a couple of weeks ago, and think they are a fantastic idea. I understand that chains are something like 99% efficient. Has anyone done an experiment to see how efficient belt drives are?

I can seriously see them becoming the future of the bicycle drive if they match the efficiency of a normal chain (and I can't see any reason why they wouldn't).

Something very geeky in me just loves those SS Couplers!

And I'm sure that BeltDrive is the future. Greaseless and silent FTW.

Something very geeky in me just loves those SS Couplers!

And I'm sure that BeltDrive is the future. Greaseless and silent FTW.

exactly how I feel

mmmmm those couplers are so shiny. Hopefully I'll have the cash to get a custom frame made in a few years time and it is definitely going to be belt driven.

I might take a hacksaw to the goff stick one in. Can't be that hard right?

In all seriousness though I'd LOVE to go belt drive. Just need more drivetrain options before I take the plunge

This post reminded me that I was admiring one of those Treks a couple of weeks ago, and think they are a fantastic idea. I understand that chains are something like 99% efficient. Has anyone done an experiment to see how efficient belt drives are?

it's not hard to able to see that belt drive are plenty strong enough for human powered machine, if it can withstand a motorised machine, it defintely can deal with weak human legs.

expect maybe Chris Hoy, he might able to snap it.

efficient Ed. Not strong.

and I'm guessing they'd be more efficient.

it's not hard to able to see that belt drive are plenty strong enough for human powered machine, if it can withstand a motorised machine, it defintely can deal with weak human legs.

expect maybe Chris Hoy, he might able to snap it.

Human legs are not weak. Human legs can put out more lb/ft of torque through a bike than a performance car can generate.
Although I am not doubting the belt is strong enough to cope with it :-)

http://web.me.com/matthewreeves/Site/belt_drive.html

Is it a regular cog outside the GCD-"cog"?

one place they may not be suitable is bmx. belt + concrete = snappity?

Looks like a bit of a bodge Bubblan. Seen much nicer belt cogs than that.

I have a belt drive system at home, waiting to be installed on my current project. I have therefore read quite a bit about them.

Efficiency wise, I dont think anyone is claiming that they are more efficient than a perfectly clean, lubed chain. The point is that on a typical rainy day, or off-road, a chain will be far from perfectly clean or lubed.
The fact that they stretch very little is also a bit over-rated, as you could replace a chain several times for the cost of a belt.
As for ease of use, once they are set-up, they are very easy to live with, but chainline and tension needs to be spot-on.
Also, so you wish to change your gearing, you may be looking at over £100 for all the parts you would need.

So those whom claim that they are all hype have a point. But for me the smooth ride quality, mud resistance (building XC bike), and lightness, make it worth a try.

So those whom claim that they are all hype have a point. But for me the smooth ride quality, mud resistance (building XC bike), and lightness, make it worth a try.

I hadn't thought about weight saving (what sort of weight weenie am I). How much weight is saved?
Do the chainrings/cogs weigh more which offsets save on belt over chain? Suppose the most you could save would be around 200g wouldn't it if a belt was 100g?

Found the link.
quote "no discernable difference was observed between the polychain belt drive and the standard chaindrive"

http://reviews.mtbr.com/interbike/spot-bikes-belt-drive-carbon-drive-system-bikes/
http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2007/news/08-28

My advice to everyone is to simply pop down to their LBS and try out the Trek District to see what the fuss is about.

I hadn't thought about weight saving (what sort of weight weenie am I). How much weight is saved?
Do the chainrings/cogs weigh more which offsets save on belt over chain? Suppose the most you could save would be around 200g wouldn't it if a belt was 100g?

The cogs and chainrings are made from a thermosetting resin (from inspection) and do save some weight. Although as alu cogs and chainrings are pretty light its not a massive weight saving.

Looks like 200g was pretty spot-on (Kerley = uber weight weenie)
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=518332&highlight=belt+drive

Thanks for your advice Ed it's what we've all been waiting for.

Interesting stuff. So if they're of similar efficiency to chains, the off-putting factors are cost, inflexibility in gear ratios, and the fact you have to have a special frame.

I would have thought you could come up with a joining mechanism and 'magic links' of various sizes for these belt drives to resolve the gear ratio problem.

I'm also surprised that they're so expensive, since similar belts have been in every car engine for the last 50 years!

Belt drive is for boffins. Its very home digital barometer.

Belt drive is for boffins. Its very home digital barometer.

Got one of them to :). sends a wireless signal from the outside unit to a display in the lounge, with temp and forecast.

Tempted to swap it for a sign reading.

Yes its fecking cold.
Yes its fecking raining.
THIS IS NORWAY.
Now go ride.

Haha! Class! I was actually going to mention in that post that I bet you have one.

In my defence it was a gift from the German company, my company buys peroxide catalysts from. slightly better than the previous years colourful fiber optic dildo (at least I assume thats what it is).

More belt drive info:
Rohloff.
http://www.bikeradar.com/beginners/news/article/rohloff-to-support-santos-belt-drive-22879

Same link as above for weight saving. Shows a home conversion of a Il Pompino bike.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=518332&highlight=belt+drive