Classic & Vintage - Belt drive .?

HI , im not sure this is the correct place for this post . but it is here ( C&V ) i frequent most ,so i thought i would give it a go .

im currently working on a winter cross cycle for the season .
i have most everything i need eexcept one item .

I am currently looking to purchase a Carbon belt drive (http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/overview.php?lang=us#)(drive set )
could anyone link me to a site that is selling carbon drives .

I would appreciate it .
Cheers
T

Looked into it a while ago out of curiousity, here is one place I found:

http://www.webcyclery.com/product.php?productid=18445

To me it seems a bit steep for the limited benefits, and on a bike not designed for it I'd be concerned about cutting the dropout to install it.

Ken.

Edit:
(yeah, I do know that link is for a tandem)

Cheers for that .
Imgoing to have a chat with the person at work who buys from our distributors and see what we can get , we are a trek retailer and the soho was a fun bike to ride and a chance to look over the bltdrive system . .
maybe i can actually get one from trek , the drive set i mean .
anyway , thanks .

You still didn't address whether you have the split frame, or raised chain stay that's required. Pics needed if you do.

I don't see the point at all. A conventional roller chain is extremely efficient and versatile, and easy to remove and replace on a conventional frame.

Rohloff has a belt drive model of their IGH:
http://www.rohloff.de/en/news/news_rss/news_lang/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1367&cHash=c30fb1d886

A few pics with the Rohloff hub have been posted on the net, but all are built by an OEM or specialty bike company:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2261128721/
http://alexandchristine.smugmug.com/Bicycles/Bicycle-Shows/NAHBS-2008/4301856_GNe7g/1/252364462_sq4xz#252364462_sq4xz

Suppose lawsuit concerns are preventing aftermarket availability of belt drive systems and parts. If they can bring the price down, it 'might' gain popularity among casual riders, single speed, cruiser, and IGH commuter crowd. Assuming Gates is using the same technology as their timing/toothed accessory belts for cars and barring an accident, the belt should last the life of the bike with little or no maintenance. Belt drive is targeted towards a different segment than the road or mtn bike crowd that need/want more gearing. There's room for both.

I have a belt-driven Maruishi shopping bike. It's a rusty piece of junk (I live near the sea), but the belt-drive system is excellent. No noise, and no oil. The bike is easily 20 years old, but the belt remains tight. I've never been able to get it to jump the rear cog (which I have been able to do on bikes when I've worn out the chain).

There are any number of low-priced belt and shaft driven bicycles in Japan, I'm surprised there aren't more in America.

I test rode the Trek District yesterday...I liked it!

:thumb:

I hope they (manufacturers) come out with multi speed IGH version.


Maybe this should go to General Cycling forum?

You still didn't address whether you have the split frame, or raised chain stay that's required. Pics needed if you do.

its on the drawing board . i'll let you know when its closer. that is if the belt drive system is available .

@John E
If you lived up here in Sweden where the Spring,winter & Autumn are terrible for weather . salt , sea air , rain ,snow . you get the point . It would be nice to have a belt drive system here that i could wash off.


:)

The problem with early belt drives, besides the frame question, was their plastic gears/sprockets that wore out faster than the belt or broke. Cast or metal sprockets were available later. Plus there were no standards, so parts were proprietary.

The Gates carbon drive system seems to be the new universal standard and uses high-modulus materials. High belt tension isn't needed in this system to prevent skipping. Wider adaptation of this system is increasing but it remains to be seen if consumers buy it in the numbers necessary to lower costs enough to equip entry level bikes.

The target market is a lot different from the traditional bike purchaser. Belt drive would be quieter. Not having to lube the chain or see it rust and not worry about getting your clothes dirty from chain lube is a plus. Add an IGH and that would be enough gears the average person needs. Would be an effort to create an almost maintenance free 4-season and minimal adjustment bike.

Cost of replacement parts might be a stumbling block if those parts aren't readily available as the OP is finding out. Accidents or parts failure do happen and the consumer wants their bike fixed asap. And the do-it-yourself crowd wants to be able to walk into a LBS and pickup or order a part they need.

Traditional bikes will still be around and continue to be the sales leaders.

I test rode the Trek District yesterday...I liked it!

:thumb:

I hope they (manufacturers) come out with multi speed IGH version.


Maybe this should go to General Cycling forum?

Trek already have a IGH version

You still didn't address whether you have the split frame, or raised chain stay that's required. Pics needed if you do.

I'd love to fit a belt-drive system to this:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff80/monogodo/SS%20MTB/drivetrain-1-s.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff80/monogodo/SS%20MTB/drivetrain-2-s.jpg

I'm ready for Belt Drive, now how many other manufacturers are going to jump on the wagon???

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JfSHPbL-x0I/SRC-MopQ-9I/AAAAAAAAAPw/rSwj7URxUc0/s1600/karen_cruiser.jpg

Trek already have a IGH version

Thanks for letting me know. Now, I just have to decide which ones on my current stables I should sacrifice. :o





I'm ready for Belt Drive, now how many other manufacturers are going to jump on the wagon???

Maybe most, if not all of them, if most of us does. Its all about consumer demand.