Belt Drive Singlespeed

Wobbegong

Wobbegong

Well-Known Member
I would love to ride this bike in a bad way.
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Anyone ever ride a belt before? :hmmm:
 
i still think you can't beat the look of a shiny chain....

however a belt has many advantages over a chain....
 
The whole having to cut your frame in half to fit the belt in there is a bit of a problem. It might work on my new bike since I have machineed droputs. You really need a frame set up for belt drive, huge turnoff.
 
gtluke said:
The whole having to cut your frame in half to fit the belt in there is a bit of a problem. It might work on my new bike since I have machineed droputs. You really need a frame set up for belt drive, huge turnoff.
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never end thought of that, how is that addressed.
 
stb222 said:
never end thought of that, how is that addressed.
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From another page:
Even more exciting are the single speed developments. Pioneered by Spot brand several years ago, the Carbon Drive Belt system is among the most exciting development in bicycle transmission since the advent of the chain (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth!)

Hopping aboard the revolution, Ventana has developed a fantastically functional sliding dropout system that allows this technology to be partnered with the stiffness and superior handling of the El Toro and El Commandante for a amazing single speed package.

So it looks like a removable machined dropout to install the belt. Im not saying this is a good system, I have no idea. I will say that I'd love to spend a day romping on this bike to see for myself. 🙂 It does get rid of the EBB.

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There are a bunch of different systems to the get the belt installed. Do a google image search of belt drive bike.

Looks like some of the involve a cut in the seatstay or chainstay or some kind of wonky dropout configuration.

I wonder how these will work once they add a transmission to them or if they will only be for singlespeeds
 
Deezul said:
I wonder how these will work once they add a transmission to them or if they will only be for singlespeeds
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Can you imagine the size of the derailleur?

Actually, this could be something to try on something I have in the works...
 
you have to wear skinny jeans and roll your right pant leg to get that though.
 
Personally would rather carry a spare link then a whole belt when out on the trail. I Like to carry as little as possible and really whats the advantage a few grams, chain noise? :hmmm: Not enough to make me mildly interested...
 
If someone developed a flexible belt link that is also length adjustable, that would be $$$$$$$ you could then SS any bike. It's my idea, don't steal it! And I'm sure someone somewhere is working on it already.
 
mattybfat said:
Personally would rather carry a spare link then a whole belt when out on the trail. I Like to carry as little as possible and really whats the advantage a few grams, chain noise? :hmmm: Not enough to make me mildly interested...
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No lube/rust....
 
rlb said:
If someone developed a flexible belt link that is also length adjustable, that would be $$$$$$$ you could then SS any bike. It's my idea, don't steal it! And I'm sure someone somewhere is working on it already.
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Bingo... focus on the belt and not so much on how to split a perfectly good frame. Of course you could always use a frame with an elevated chainstay (like the Nishiki Alien below or similar)... still I like the split belt idea so you could technically retrofit any bike... Send your idea to Spot Brand / Gates ....

BTW last year when I was in Fruita, CO, I asked the guys at Over the Edge Sports (who carried the Spot Longboard with the belt drive) whether they've experienced any skipping problems. One dude in the store (the owner, go figure) said he's never had any skip problems; another (one of the mechanics) said he was able to get the belt to skip... Jury's still out, but the idea is certainly intriguing... especially if you couple this with an Alfine hub... could be pretty cool.

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It makes tons of sense for a commuter/city bike. Noise and no-grease on the leg.

Anything else? Pointless. Chain is more efficient.

-Steve
 
And the World is Flat and We Are the Center of the Universe

NOT!! Belts will be an option. Just like 20, or 27 speeds, 26 inch wheels or 29 inch wheels, 650B's. Every idea that someone had was ridiculed and questioned before the idea came to fruition. We were the center of the universe not so long ago. Belts can work. One belt runs your crankshaft, your atlernator,power steering, and air pump, probably something else but I can't remember. Every idea needs some time to be honed. Soon there will be a single belt with a transmission (like the Hammerschimt) to give you the option of gears. Although my simple mind will for the moment accept that a single speed belt drive is in our likely future.:popcorn:
 
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