CNN profiles the belt-driven bicycle–but here in Tucson Ed Foster is already building them
(Photo from www.edsbikes.us)
I was happy to see CNN’s article on Trek’s two new models that will include a belt drive
Ed Foster at Tucson’s own La Suprema has already hand-built one of these things and had it on display last weekend at the Tucson Bike Swap.
If I think about the single most hated piece of equipment on my bikes, it has to be the chain. I hate those greasy, rattly, noisy things, always coming off and knocking around and stretching and getting caught in things, like my pants.
I’d like to know if the belt drive is any lighter, once you add in the weight of the other needed components. But all it really needs to be for me to get on board is quieter.
There’’s a cool photo of a contemporary shaft-drive bike at Bikesfortherestofus.
–Erik Ryberg
November 20th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I read an article on it earlier. It might be lighter, but it’s pretty much relegated to single speeds only (although I guess an internally geared hub would do it too!). The rear stays have to be super duper stiff and the dropouts made specially so the belt doesn’t pop out or go loose. Definitely interesting idea. I wonder how that front chainring looks… It’d definitely be nice to never accidentally gash yourself on the blade of the front chainring.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:53 am
These pop up every now and then, but have never really caught on due to the single-speed/internal gear issue stated, alignment issues, and the fact that previously belts flexed a bit and absorbed some efficiency compared to a chain. But belts are always improving, as are internally geared hubs.
SDP has a new belt line called Conidrive (http://www.sdp-si.com/DN10/DN10cat.htm) that looks promising for bicycles, it rolls smoother than a toothed belt, needs no guide flanges, and setting/maintaining alignment of the pulleys is far less critical. I wonder if a single or double row version of this belt can be made to shift from pulley to pulley derailleur style?
November 20th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
As far as noise level is concerned Eric can get in line with money in hand as even worn these belts have a noise level roughly equivalent to a brand new bike chain on brand new chainrings and cogs, i.e. silent. If the belt is worn enough to make a noise it is past the end of its service life. I never liked them because of the cost factor for multiple gears, and the problems getting replacements, but they seem to have solved the supply chain issues that bothered me about replacement parts.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I saw a small commuter type bike at my local store with a toothed belt drive. I was concerned about belt life and with that concern how many options would there be for replacement. Doing a little math and some extensive asuming I came up with a life span of about 350K miles. Using a cars 6oK timing belt life span, 35 mph, 1500 rpm against cyclist 10 mph 70 cadence. UV would probably get the belt first.
The traking prblem could be taken care of with a longitudinal rib which would center the belt over both gears.
Internal hubs with perhaps two thinner belts and gear sets at both ends (blets don’t flex as well as chains in the sideways direction) and a clutch type mechanism could potentially double the gears. But for a commute/knock around town/run errands bike who needs 30 speeds?
November 20th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I see no reason why an inferior technology should be used to replace an already poorly-enough performing power-train on a vehicle taken grossly for granted for being marginally more efficient then the worst vehicle ever made (other then to exploit the novelty of this new product and make a buck).
Belt driven bikes would be a more reasonable option in time when (hopefully soon) only the greediest yahoos can afford anything made of metal, and everyone else has to settle for the bad-ass grow-it-yourself make-it-yourself.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I took Ed’s belt drive for a spin–it was smooth and quiet and felt great–plus it was one of Ed’s bikes–an incredible work of art. Belt drives are cool.