Touring - Belt driven Touring bike

I'm planning on having a custom bike built for me using a Rohloff hub and I'm really considering using the belt drive system from this (http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/) company.

On paper it looks great. What do you guys and gals think of this idea?

One bike I was considering was having Spot Brand bikes custom build me one of their Highline's with touring provisions and rohloff droputs.

http://www.spotbikes.com/images/bikes/HighLine/HighLineAndLogo.jpg

If you need spare parts while on tour, can you get them?

I have no idea about the technology but I can imagine the lack of a chain would make for a very smooth and quiet ride, I would love to test ride a bike with this system. They look pretty professional but glitz and glamour doesnt prove anything, I want to hear some real feedback about this product.

If you need spare parts while on tour, can you get them?

They say the belts are near impossible to break. At Interbike this year they had a Harley Davidson being suspended in the air by one of the belts.

I don't think I could imagine one of the cogs or rings breaking or wearing from a belt, they look very burly.

However, if something were to break, or you need replacement belts, QBP is going to be one of the distributors.

http://reviews.mtbr.com/interbike/files/2007/09/img_0419.jpg

http://reviews.mtbr.com/interbike/spot-bikes-belt-drive-carbon-drive-system-bikes/

They're also just as efficient as a chain.

Recommended replacement of the belt is over 10,000 miles, there's no oiling, it's much quiter and probably smoother and stiffer under hard accelerating.

What about racks?

Ray

What about racks?

Ray


They would build the bike how I wanted it with all the provisions such as rack eyelets.

Carbon Drive system's also sell the dropouts alone so you can have a frame builder build you a custom frame however you want it.

I'd be concerned about getting the belt wet and dirty and then have it wear out fast in the boonies. If you get that thing covered in slimy mud will it slip under high torque? Does it expand or contract when really wet?

The automotive world is moving back to chains for the timing belts and when you see belts in a car they are usually covered with a plastic cover. If you had such a cover for the belt on the bike I'd feel better but I still wonder what the belt would do in high humidity. I bet it's quiet but reliability has to be your #1 concern.

My take on it is that both the rohloff and the belt drive are solutions to problems that don't exist. Different strokes though.

The Rohloff is not a solution, staephj1, it's an alternative. A good one, too.

My Harley is belt drive. They say the belt will last 100,000 miles, need little maintainence etc. I broke mine in 18,000 miles. A close inspection revealed I had picked up a small sharp rock in the rear pully that acted like a knife against the underside of the belt. The belt works good on a motorcycle, smooth and quiet. I'm sure it would be the same on a bicycle. I will however, never buy another belt drive motorcycle (or bicycle for that matter). A chain can be fixed on the side of the road with simple tools if it breaks. When a belt breaks, you need a new belt. I would check the cost of replacements too. It was almost $200 for my motorcycle belt.

That's only one half of the equation; another question would be "is this technology reliable enough so that the probability of getting stranded is small enough to be acceptable?"

Granted you want to be able to get spare parts, but it's better not to need spare parts in the first place (for anything).


If you need spare parts while on tour, can you get them?

I'm planning on having a custom bike built for me using a Rohloff hub and I'm really considering using the belt drive system from this (http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/) company.

On paper it looks great. What do you guys and gals think of this idea?

One bike I was considering was having Spot Brand bikes custom build me one of their Highline's with touring provisions and rohloff droputs.

http://www.spotbikes.com/images/bikes/HighLine/HighLineAndLogo.jpg

I haven't looked at the specs of the system you are considering or the Spot bikes so these are just general comments to consider:

- I wouldn't want to be pioneering any concepts on my touring bike. I would only be interested in using proven components that are readily repairable/replaceable. Parts break all the time for reasons no one could foresee so assuming you'll have no problems is overly optimistic. The question is what will you do when you do have problems?

- if you are going custom make sure the company building your bike is heavily into touring. A really nice custom touring bike isn't a cross bike with extra braze-ons or a mtn bike with longer chain stays. Get someone who knows what the bike will be put through and who understands what makes a great touring bike to build it for you. If not take your money to a company like Thorn that builds high end production bikes specifically for Rohloff hubs.

- if you want to try the belt drive out just make sure your bike can be easily retrofitted to a chain drive if things don't pan out.

Enjoy your new bike. I hope the belt systems works great...:)

I like the idea. On motorcycles one of the problems with belts is the super power aftermarket motors that are being developed for harleys. These have proven to be belt breakers, and are somewhat responsible for the return of chains. Of course the cool thing about bike chains is that they are lifetime oiled and sealed, which doesn't seem to a bike miniturizable concept yet. But I guess the issue would be whether on this scale there are any similar problems 250 pounds guy tearing into a hill with 100 pounds of gear, "snap"? I doubt it if it is designed for mountain bikes.

The only part that looks open to tragedy with this system is the belt itself, and that would be light and easy to carry and replace on the road, so it would be a mater of whether it's a once in a lifetime problem or an every 50 miles problem that the belt gets cut with a stone chip. I have enough excitement of that type with tires.

Efficiency is my main concern. Something that lightens the rotating load on a Rohloff would b a great pitch against the already easier running deraileur system.

Then there is the cost, it can't be cheap? There is also the belt length, how many options is it a delco item or only in a few places on earth. I'm betting on MSC.

Sure looks better than that lifetime lubricated chain in a chaingard option.


The break in the chainstay is going to take a litte thinking over....

The problem that Rohloff/belt drive solves is off-road riding in wet muddy condition. Clay-based mud is really sticky and will soon clog up a derailleur system and add 4 lbs of weight.
The system is also useful for all-weather, low maintenance commuting.

The belts look light enough to carry a spare if you are touring far from courier services.

Pros: very clean, very low maintenance. Fairly easy to carry 1-2 spare belts on tour.

Cons: Belts are less efficient than chains; Rohloff is less efficient than derailleurs. You won't get spares on tour, ordering through QBP could take a very long time. Expensive.

I think it depends on where and how long you're touring. 2 weeks, no problem. Maybe even a few months. However, I can guarantee that no matter how "unbreakable" the chains are, not only will it break, but it will break at just about the worst possible time. :D

I recommend you do some research on Strida folding bikes, which use belt drives and internal hubs. Check the Folding forum for feedback forthwith....

I'd be concerned about getting the belt wet and dirty and then have it wear out fast in the boonies. If you get that thing covered in slimy mud will it slip under high torque? Does it expand or contract when really wet?

The automotive world is moving back to chains for the timing belts and when you see belts in a car they are usually covered with a plastic cover. If you had such a cover for the belt on the bike I'd feel better but I still wonder what the belt would do in high humidity. I bet it's quiet but reliability has to be your #1 concern.

Round tooth belts rarely slip, even with low tension. Works very much like a chain and probably grips better. If you have a plastic guard on you car's belt drive you should remove, IMHO, it just traps dirt. Hose it down with carb cleaner now and then. I work on equipment with belt drive components and they do last quite a while. Though I believe they are used in place of chains because they do not require lubrication, and in those situations you wouldn't want a chain throwing lube on the rest of the machine. Especially in food or medical equipment.

I'd be concerned about getting the belt wet and dirty and then have it wear out fast in the boonies. If you get that thing covered in slimy mud will it slip under high torque? Does it expand or contract when really wet?

The automotive world is moving back to chains for the timing belts and when you see belts in a car they are usually covered with a plastic cover. If you had such a cover for the belt on the bike I'd feel better but I still wonder what the belt would do in high humidity. I bet it's quiet but reliability has to be your #1 concern.

Any mud or dirt would be pushed through the gear, they have openings between the teeth.

The belts don't really stretch, they are carbon impregnated and are super strong.

Pros: very clean, very low maintenance. Fairly easy to carry 1-2 spare belts on tour.

Cons: Belts are less efficient than chains; Rohloff is less efficient than derailleurs. You won't get spares on tour, ordering through QBP could take a very long time. Expensive.

This test shows belt being as efficient, if not a little more efficient than a chain.
http://reviews.mtbr.com/interbike/files/2007/09/img_0432.jpg



I think it depends on where and how long you're touring. 2 weeks, no problem. Maybe even a few months. However, I can guarantee that no matter how "unbreakable" the chains are, not only will it break, but it will break at just about the worst possible time. :D

I recommend you do some research on Strida folding bikes, which use belt drives and internal hubs. Check the Folding forum for feedback forthwith....

An extra belt weighs less than a tube, and probably packs just as small.

This test shows belt being as efficient, if not a little more efficient than a chain.
http://reviews.mtbr.com/interbike/files/2007/09/img_0432.jpg



An extra belt weighs less than a tube, and probably packs just as small.

boo ya

I was waiting for real statistics... no more arguing about which one is better, they both weigh each other out. So the real debate is about personal preference. Personally I love the idea, chains are hella old school and this belt drive seems like it would feel so good to ride with. But then again I am a starving artist and can only dream of such a thing while lubing and cursing at my clunky chain drive.

This test shows belt being as efficient, if not a little more efficient than a chain.
http://reviews.mtbr.com/interbike/files/2007/09/img_0432.jpg

I would be just a bit skeptical since it seems to be pretty crudely done and probably not by an unbiased observer.

I would be just a bit skeptical since it seems to be pretty crudely done and probably not by an unbiased observer.

Yeeaa, it does kind of have the "Carbon Drive" logo on the bottom right of the page... What do I know though, I am just like every other American. Put a graph in front of me and I am happy with whatever the results are, even if it is bull. Sad for me.

Using data gathered from the manufacturer doesn't really prove anything.. that's like believing your used car dealer when he promises you got a great deal.

Looks pretty good to me, how else are you supposed to measure this but by the way it was done? It was also done by an independent laboratory, not by Carbondrive Systems.

Looks pretty good to me, how else are you supposed to measure this but by the way it was done? It was also done by an independent laboratory, not by Carbondrive Systems.
Well they didn't have the same ratios on the two. They used a constant speed motor of unknown rpms so we have no idea of whether it was done at a relevant speed. Depending on the specifications of the motor there are unknown levels of error in how much energy actually got to the crank. None of the three critical things (motor, Powertap, and magnetic resistance trainer) are known quantities and it is not know whether test conditions were specifically selected to give a bias to the belt. Further we don't know how well the chain was lubed and with what nor do we know the quality of the chain and sprockets.

Do you think that someone other than Carbon Drive hired them to do it?

Edit: I am not even saying that they are definitely inaccurate findings, but it certainly seems reasonable not to trust testing that was almost certainly commissioned by the manufacturer either directly or indirectly.

The touring community has always been a bunch of naysayers, they still think bar-end shifters and cantilever brakes are greatest inventions of all time.

I posed this same combination of belt and Rohloff hub in a thread a while back and got the same kind of response. Just disregard the whinny old school mentality and move forward. :)

I think it would be a great combination! How much better is it than a regular derailleur system? Well considering the cost, no Rohloff hub system seems to make much sense, but what a cool set-up it would be. The best part, I think would be how quiet if would be, almost worth it just for that factor.

Sorry old school die hards, I know I always tick your guys off on subjects like this, but someone's got to do it. :):D

Well they didn't have the same ratios on the two. They used a constant speed motor of unknown rpms so we have no idea of whether it was done at a relevant speed. Depending on the specifications of the motor there are unknown levels of error in how much energy actually got to the crank. None of the three critical things (motor, Powertap, and magnetic resistance trainer) are known quantities and it is not know whether test conditions were specifically selected to give a bias to the belt. Further we don't know how well the chain was lubed and with what nor do we know the quality of the chain and sprockets.

Do you think that someone other than Carbon Drive hired them to do it?

Edit: I am not even saying that they are definitely inaccurate findings, but it certainly seems reasonable not to trust testing that was almost certainly commissioned by the manufacturer either directly or indirectly.

The main thing is that there is no noticeable difference. That test shows that they are pretty much the same effeciency. Other sources have tested the belt drive to have the same effeciency(98%). People who rode the system at Interbike say they don't notice any difference is efficiency.

The touring community has always been a bunch of naysayers, they still think bar-end shifters and cantilever brakes are greatest inventions of all time.

I posed this same combination of belt and Rohloff hub in a thread a while back and got the same kind of response. Just disregard the whinny old school mentality and move forward. :)

I think it would be a great combination! How much better is it than a regular derailleur system? Well considering the cost, no Rohloff hub system seems to make much sense, but what a cool set-up it would be. The best part, I think would be how quiet if would be, almost worth it just for that factor.

Sorry old school die hards, I know I always tick your guys off on subjects like this, but someone's got to do it. :):D

:D I like to embrace new technologies as well. I'm gonna go for it and be one of the Guinea Pigs.

I saw a bike set up like this (belt + Rohloff) at the Portland handmade bike show last weekend. I thought it looked great, especially if you use your touring bike for commuting (as I do). Anything that cuts maintenance/moving parts is great in my book, much more important to me than before I started commuting...the weekly maintenance is getting old.

For the week or two a year I can tour, I don't mind carrying w/me an extra belt in case of disaster on the road (I was told that they only cost $50, BTW, and that they should last up to 20,000 miles).

The touring community has always been a bunch of naysayers, they still think bar-end shifters and cantilever brakes are greatest inventions of all time.
Sorry to disappoint you but that isn't me. I don't like bar ends at all (STI all the way). I don't buy in to most touring bike dogma. Heck I don't even like Brooks saddles and have my bars 4" below my saddle.

I think that the Rohloff is an expensive heavy alternative that isn't field serviceable. I doubt that they are as reliable as their boosters claim. Considering that they are a very low production item and I have heard of at least one internal problem and several reports of breaks at the flange, I don't buy into the supposed reliability advantage. Add to that the fact that they weigh enough that you could carry a spare dérailleur and other parts and still be lighter.

The difference in cost would fund a few weeks of frugal touring.

I think it is quite reasonable to doubt the test of the belt system system since it is probably commissioned by the belt company.

OTOH: I know that the chain and dérailleur system is very functional, light, and repairable.

All that said... buy what makes you happy.

:D I like to embrace new technologies as well. I'm gonna go for it and be one of the Guinea Pigs.

I hope it works out well for you. Keep us posted.

I think that the Rohloff is an expensive heavy alternative that isn't field serviceable. I doubt that they are as reliable as their boosters claim. Considering that they are a very low production item and I have heard of at least one internal problem and several reports of breaks at the flange, I don't buy into the supposed reliability advantage. Add to that the fact that they weigh enough that you could carry a spare dérailleur and other parts and still be lighter.

If you want to get a good idea of what life with a Rohloff is like read the Thorn Rohloff forums (http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?board=25.0). You'll find the good and the bad side of the hub well documented.

:D I like to embrace new technologies as well. I'm gonna go for it and be one of the Guinea Pigs.

If you do an around the world trip I'll bet you could get Gates and/or the bike company to sponsor you. As said above, keep us posted.

"I like to embrace new technologies as well. I'm gonna go for it and be one of the Guinea Pigs. "

Sounds great, be sure to post some progress reports, I'm very interested and I think even the naysayers would like to follow along (especially if it doesn't work:D) oops, there I go again.

I don't see a lot of "nay-saying" 'round here. What I see is "X is robust, reliable, field-tested, and optimal for touring and/or works for me" and, in the opposite corner, the "anything goes" cheerleading.

Both have their virtues; but what can I say, except that I'm a bit partial to the former. :D When I tour, I don't want to waste my time dealing with mechanicals if it can be helped; I like wide tires (bye-bye, calipers); I like to have a large handlebar bag (hence no STI). A couple of tours on sub-optimal equipment have taught me that there is quite a bit of virtue in using the appropriate tool for the job.

And I can't even tell you how many times I've heard about the Superior Greatness of Our New Product. It's called "hype," and the resulting product rarely matches up to it. Especially in its first incarnation.

Now maybe the belt drive will turn out to be a good product, and perhaps even appropriate for touring. But in the interim, parts (and not just the belt) will be scarce, real-world durability is unknown, and field repairs are almost certainly more time-consuming and difficult than replacing a chain.

I'd stick to using a belt drive for commuting for a little while longer, before using it for a tour.

I don't see a lot of "nay-saying" 'round here. What I see is "X is robust, reliable, field-tested, and optimal for touring and/or works for me" and, in the opposite corner, the "anything goes" cheerleading.

Both have their virtues; but what can I say, except that I'm a bit partial to the former. :D When I tour, I don't want to waste my time dealing with mechanicals if it can be helped; I like wide tires (bye-bye, calipers); I like to have a large handlebar bag (hence no STI). A couple of tours on sub-optimal equipment have taught me that there is quite a bit of virtue in using the appropriate tool for the job.

And I can't even tell you how many times I've heard about the Superior Greatness of Our New Product. It's called "hype," and the resulting product rarely matches up to it. Especially in its first incarnation.

Now maybe the belt drive will turn out to be a good product, and perhaps even appropriate for touring. But in the interim, parts (and not just the belt) will be scarce, real-world durability is unknown, and field repairs are almost certainly more time-consuming and difficult than replacing a chain.

I'd stick to using a belt drive for commuting for a little while longer, before using it for a tour.


:beer:

I think innovation is cycling is great and should be welcomed.

Honestly the chain is great. It's cheap, durable, efficient and easily serviced. Sure it can be greasy, noisy and can break (what doesn't), but it's though to beat.

Belt drive sounds great I'd like to try it. A few drawbacks I heard is that apparently the tension is much higher than for a regular chain and has to be set precisely, as the alignment. That might not be harder to adjust than correctly push a chain rivet however. Furthermore I'd like to know how you can install the belt!! (without cutting through the frame).

Furthermore I'd like to know how you can install the belt!! (without cutting through the frame).

Check out the Carbondrive website. They show pics of the droputs. There is a removeable key that allows you to slip the belt through.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_WZ1ItTlaOB8/RubS78mF4MI/AAAAAAAAALE/7IbqlOCH7qk/s400/Belt1closeup.png

Check out the Carbondrive website. They show pics of the droputs. There is a removeable key that allows you to slip the belt through.

I was wondering how one would change the belt without adding a coupling system to a chainstay. Looks promising.

I was wondering how one would change the belt without adding a coupling system to a chainstay. Looks promising.

I saw two versions at the bike show last weekend -- one had a coupling system on the chainstay. Another had a split behind the seat-tube. The seat stays split apart and the belt slips down over the back of the bike.

Do it. Carry an extra belt, and I'm sure you'll be fine. Even if the drive is less efficient, this is touring we're talking about here. Not the TdF. It isn't going to slow you down all that much even if it's 10 percent worse than a chain drive.

"I would be just a bit skeptical since it seems to be pretty crudely done and probably not by an unbiased observer."

The beauty of testing your own gear is that you can run a totally honest test and still come out on top every time. You just sellect the paramaters to sound neutral but actually favour your product. I'm not saying anything we don't all know.

What would worry me on the efficiency is what the off peak efficiency is. We all know how chains degrade and how that hurts performance, but what if anything is the similar problem here.


"The best part, I think would be how quiet if would be, almost worth it just for that factor."

The only problem there is that the Rohloff hub, both at the word of friend and foe, is often quite a noisy beast itself.

"The touring community has always been a bunch of naysayers, they still think bar-end shifters and cantilever brakes are greatest inventions of all time."

Well they aren't far wrong, it just depends what specific attributes you are looking for. Let me know how your brake/shift levers work with the Rohloff. :)

"The main thing is that there is no noticeable difference."

Noticeable difference could be about 20%. What is it they say about tightening spokes without a spokemeter. Pros will swear they did wheels on different days the same and they will be worlds appart. Whatever the difference it isn't going to be a tight test within a few points to go by observations of people in a parking lot tooling around on loaner bikes. The Problem is that Rohloff and other gear hubs are already down on efficiency in many conditions so we sure don't want something that multiplies more inefficiency in there.

Minimaly the three parts one would need would be the belt, and the two sprokets. Are they selling those separately and what do they cost? I can provide the frame. That Carbon Drive website crashed my computer several times today, so I am in the dark.

Well they didn't have the same ratios on the two. They used a constant speed motor of unknown rpms so we have no idea of whether it was done at a relevant speed. Depending on the specifications of the motor there are unknown levels of error in how much energy actually got to the crank. None of the three critical things (motor, Powertap, and magnetic resistance trainer) are known quantities and it is not know whether test conditions were specifically selected to give a bias to the belt. Further we don't know how well the chain was lubed and with what nor do we know the quality of the chain and sprockets.


Speed? Chain lubed? Bias? Aw, come on! Does there have to be a conspiracy behind every new contraption that hits the market? Sheesh!

The only bias I perceive at the Touring forum is against new technology.

Disc brakes? Voo-doo!

Aluminium frame? Nope! Can't get it welded in Tibet!

V-brakes? What's THAT?

Brifters? What if an Argentinian donkey kicks my handlebar????

700c wheels? Do they sell them in Nairobi?

10 speed drivetrain? Won't last more than 5 miles!

Campagnolo? What did you call me?????

Moon landing? That was a Hollywood photo shoot!

:) :) :)

By the way, the belt is manufactured by Gates. Gates is a well-respected and a long-time manufacturer of automotive belts. They should know their stuff. If my alternator belt is good for 80K miles of driving, it should be good enough to drive my bike, eh?

Speed? Chain lubed? Bias? Aw, come on! Does there have to be a conspiracy behind every new contraption that hits the market? Sheesh!

The only bias I perceive at the Touring forum is against new technology.

Disc brakes? Voo-doo!

Aluminium frame? Nope! Can't get it welded in Tibet!

V-brakes? What's THAT?

Brifters? What if an Argentinian donkey kicks my handlebar????

700c wheels? Do they sell them in Nairobi?

10 speed drivetrain? Won't last more than 5 miles!

Campagnolo? What did you call me?????

Moon landing? That was a Hollywood photo shoot!

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

Speed? Chain lubed? Bias? Aw, come on! Does there have to be a conspiracy behind every new contraption that hits the market? Sheesh!

The only bias I perceive at the Touring forum is against new technology.

Disc brakes? Voo-doo!

Aluminium frame? Nope! Can't get it welded in Tibet!

V-brakes? What's THAT?

Brifters? What if an Argentinian donkey kicks my handlebar????

700c wheels? Do they sell them in Nairobi?

10 speed drivetrain? Won't last more than 5 miles!

Campagnolo? What did you call me?????

Moon landing? That was a Hollywood photo shoot!

:) :) :)

By the way, the belt is manufactured by Gates. Gates is a well-respected and a long-time manufacturer of automotive belts. They should know their stuff. If my alternator belt is good for 80K miles of driving, it should be good enough to drive my bike, eh?

This is good, you've struck a cord that I recognize in most tourists. However, tourists are not really worried
about performance, for them reliability is paramount so they stick with the tried and true, with what they know works.

I've used Campagnolo front derailleurs as they are not very critical, yes I use them in friction mode. Campy cassettes and rear derailleurs don't really have the capacity to be good for touring, unless you combine them with a 44-36-22 or 20 front rings.

Speed? Chain lubed? Bias? Aw, come on! Does there have to be a conspiracy behind every new contraption that hits the market? Sheesh!

The only bias I perceive at the Touring forum is against new technology.

Disc brakes? Voo-doo!

Aluminium frame? Nope! Can't get it welded in Tibet!

V-brakes? What's THAT?

Brifters? What if an Argentinian donkey kicks my handlebar????

700c wheels? Do they sell them in Nairobi?

10 speed drivetrain? Won't last more than 5 miles!

Campagnolo? What did you call me?????

Moon landing? That was a Hollywood photo shoot!

:) :) :)

By the way, the belt is manufactured by Gates. Gates is a well-respected and a long-time manufacturer of automotive belts. They should know their stuff. If my alternator belt is good for 80K miles of driving, it should be good enough to drive my bike, eh?
The touring bike is fairly highly evolved so the things in wide use are proven and work well. Newer and better things do come along, but something is not automatically better just because it is new. The key is to adopt the ones that actually make a real improvement. Recognizing which ones are worth adopting is the key. In this case the additional cost is probably more than I paid for the entire bike that I rode coast to coast. For me the possible benefits don't seem great enough to justify the extra cost.

For the record:

I think it naive to not question a test "by an independent lab" for a new product or any product when the test was almost certainly commissioned by the manufacturer and only very sketchy detail is given on the testing.

Disk brakes, not a fan for a variety of reasons.

Aluminum frames, I love the Cannondale touring frames, but don't currently own one.

Vbrakes. I like them fine, but run cantis because they came on the bike and work fine. If starting from scratch I might use vbrakes.

Brifters, I love STI, best thing since clipless pedals. I wouldn't buy a bike without them.

700c wheels, thats what I run.

10 speed drivetrain, not really needed when using a triple, a bit more prone to wear, and not generally available on a touring bike without going custom so why bother?

Campagnolo, great stuff but why use something that will be hard to find parts for on tour.

:D I like to embrace new technologies as well. I'm gonna go for it and be one of the Guinea Pigs.
Didn't you just build up an LHT and go on your first overnight tour this past spring? Have you been able to tour much on the LHT? Just a thought, but if it was me I would rather take the money you would spend on the custom and do a long tour on the LHT. The cost would pay for a pretty nice tour.

If you do go with the custom and rohloff with a belt drive please do keep us posted. It would be interesting to see a tour journal and a review of the bike.

Disk brakes, not a fan for a variety of reasons.

Aluminum frames, I love the Cannondale touring frames, but don't currently own one.

Vbrakes. I like them fine, but run cantis because they came on the bike and work fine. If starting from scratch I might use vbrakes.

Brifters, I love STI, best thing since clipless pedals. I wouldn't buy a bike without them.

700c wheels, thats what I run.

10 speed drivetrain, not really needed when using a triple, a bit more prone to wear, and not generally available on a touring bike without going custom so why bother?

Campagnolo, great stuff but why use something that will be hard to find parts for on tour.

Disk brakes - I don't like their complexity

Aluminum frames - I find them a bit harsh

Vbrakes are just fine, but I run long reach calipers

Still using barends, STI is ok if you want to change gear for a sprint, don't see the need for it touring

700c, oh yes, with 700cx32 tires and caliper brakes.

I just went form 8 sp to 9sp, what's this 10 sp stuff?

The odd Campy part works well, like their FD, its fun to mix and match parts, on my bike I have parts by
Campy, Shimano, TA, Nitto, Brooks, SRAM, Sugino, Tektro, Velocity, Phil Wood, White Industries.

Didn't you just build up an LHT and go on your first overnight tour this past spring? Have you been able to tour much on the LHT? Just a thought, but if it was me I would rather take the money you would spend on the custom and do a long tour on the LHT. The cost would pay for a pretty nice tour.

If you do go with the custom and rohloff with a belt drive please do keep us posted. It would be interesting to see a tour journal and a review of the bike.

I did build up an LHT, but ended up selling it because I wasn't going to be able to tour for another few years until I paid my truck off(after I decided to keep the truck). I sold it and bought a new mountain bike which I would use more in the meantime.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/trdcamry2003/th_elguapo017.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/trdcamry2003/elguapo017.jpg)

Some people were wondering what I sold it for, I never updated them. I built it up from the frame, and sold it on ebay for 1,900 plus shipping.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/trdcamry2003/th_PB050558.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/trdcamry2003/PB050558.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/trdcamry2003/Second%20Album/LHT/th_lhtpics001.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/trdcamry2003/Second%20Album/LHT/lhtpics001.jpg)


If I do go with a belt driven Rohloff equipped bike, the frame is going to be custom built, still trying to decide on the frame builder.

still trying to decide on the frame builder.

These guys have built several, I was asking about Rohloffs the other day...

http://www.davidsonbicycles.com/html/home.shtml

"Brifters, I love STI, best thing since clipless pedals. I wouldn't buy a bike without them."

Then you aren't going to like Rohloff.