Belt Driven, Hub Geared, Rack Mountable Nippy Commuter - Frameset?

Slowly formulating plans for a bit of a low maintenance, nippy commuter. Keen to try belt drive, ideally with a hub gear, most likely Alfine 8. Possibly disc brakes, (unsure about this).

Looking for frame suggestions

I understand the retrofit option, but first call would be seeing if there was a suitable belt-drive compatible frame. Had a good google, but most results seem to be posts from a few years back.

• The BMC AC01 is close to what i'm trying to achieve, but is a bit flashy. Ideally I'm after more classic geometry - and the ability to mount full mudguards and a rear rack (the BMC fails at this).

• The Pompetamine ticks most of the boxes, but isn't belt-drive compatible - and i'd be happy to spend a bit more than £130 on a frame.

• The Roadrat is a similar option.

Any advice or suggestions appreciated. Shall update this thread with progress as it comes.

Two options occur, option 1 being take either of the two frames that you have suggested and have them altered, which I suspect would be the most affordable choice, or option 1 which would be to talk to a frame builder.

Rusby rides a belt-drive fixed he put together for commuting duties, Matt at Talbot just finished an Alfine Di2 bike, and Ryan at Oak seems to specialise in the super-tourer end of the market.

Cheers, dammit - having a peruse of : http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/bikes seems that's the best source for recent belt drive compatible frames.

On the frame-builder front, pal Donny recently put a beauty together: http://www.donhoubicycles.com/davids-super-commuter/

I guess I'm trying to find that balance there always is with a daily use bike. A nice bike to ride, but one I'd still lock up in the rain and not be petrified about.

What about the (ugly it's true) Trek district?

http://images.canadianlisted.com/nlarge/beautiful-trek-district-58cm-belt-drive-single-speed-neptune-blue-1099-bay-and-queen_8311763.jpg

haha, that model with the orange rims was fugly... having looked again - new models don't look too bad:

http://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/TrekBicycleProducts/95195?wid=1490&hei=1080&fit=fit,1&fmt=png-alpha&qlt=80,1&op_usm=0,0,0,0&iccEmbed=0

I can see rack/mudguard mount, the only thing i'd need to check is whether the rear dropout is wide enough for alfine. Also looks like discs could be out of the question

I'd go for a he Pompetamine and pay a builder to make it belt drive compatible.

The frame is cheap and ticks all the other boxes. A builder will be best placed to advise you, but I'd have thought if you can find a track dropout that splits (rather than a seatsplitter) it should be a pretty easy job.

You could also spec any additional braze-ons you need for the alfine.

I'd also go this route, but I'd got for a seat-stay splitter as I think they are neater.

Or what about Genesis, don't the do a disc braked, belt driven hub geared bike?

Close- the Day One Alfine Di2, chain-drive however, but simple to get that frame altered with a seat-stay splitter I would think as it is 853.

^^^ definitely. There's a lovely Paragon Works one that can be made flush.

But I wonder whether it would work with the original stays. If you had to replace one of the stays then of work/cost ramps up. My suggestion was purely based on cost.

Obviously I'm not a framebuilder, but it looks to me like you'd simply cut a section out of the seat stay and braze that sucker in.

this^

Aha yes TM : http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/frames/adventure/day-one-853

Well not belt drive, but everything else, 853 Reynolds too, and ticks all the boxes, def a contender!

Looks like modifying to belt drive is the way then. Any alternatives that spring to mind other than Pompetamine, Roadrat, Genesis.

Let me know, cheers!

Not the best looking, but this will do what you need without modification: http://bikefix.co.uk/x-over

When I rang them they said the frameset was £550

Rusby rides a belt-drive fixed he put together for commuting duties

Thought it would be worth putting in a picture of Jake Rusby's belt-drive, seeing as it's so nice and all.

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Cheers allensea, that fits the bill exactly - but you're right, not the best looking. Had my head turned by this 853 Genesis now!

Lovely Gaz, is there a project thread for that build? Be interested to see the drivetrain components

Forgot to mention this, though not available as a frameset. http://www.sidewayscycles.co.uk/products/index.php?id=1380&clid=30

They are also getting the Rallye in as a frameset as of about now... £1000

Lovely Gaz, is there a project thread for that build? Be interested to see the drivetrain components

no thread, but more info / pics here: http://rusbycycles.co.uk/bikes/
you might be able to tell what he's used...

Obviously I'm not a framebuilder, but it looks to me like you'd simply cut a section out of the seat stay and braze that sucker in.

That's pretty much the process, and I don't think it's that pricy. Matthew at Saffron Frameworks has done it, I think on an All-City of some description. Maybe drop him a line?

That's pretty much the process, and I don't think it's that pricy. Matthew at Saffron Frameworks has done it, I think on an All-City of some description. Maybe drop him a line?

I had it done to my All City Big Block by Matt at Saffron. Was £130.

£130 in total, or £130 work+dropout?

If you are still up for splitting an OTP frame the Peregrine might be worth considering. If you want discs - and with an alfine you should do - EBB over track ends any day.

£130 total.

If you are still up for splitting an OTP frame the Peregrine might be worth considering. If you want discs - and with an alfine you should do - EBB over track ends any day.

For that money he could have the 853 Genesis...