Tandem Cycling - gates belt conversion

How about an update. How many miles and are you still pleased with the purchase?

Our saga is fairly well document, so I won't repeat all of it.

I'd guesstimate that we have about 3000 miles on the second belt, and its working well now. The skipping problem seems to be solved.

Only problem currently is that it will squeek randomly. We'll be going along, everything running smooth and quiet, and then it will start making noise for awhile, then stop. Mor of an annoyance than anything else.

I wouldn't hesistate to buy a new tandem with a Belt Drive. I might think about waiting for the price to drop before retrofitting one at $525.

Y-a-a-h, you can buy a lot of chains for $525! And no random squeeking . . . chain only needs a bit of lube to cure that.
Have ridden a prototype tandem a few years ago that had a belt drive, before Co-Mo started using them. Was OK, but not very impressed with the extra $$$.

Y-a-a-h, you can buy a lot of chains for $525! And no random squeeking . . . chain only needs a bit of lube to cure that.
Have ridden a prototype tandem a few years ago that had a belt drive, before Co-Mo started using them. Was OK, but not very impressed with the extra $$$.

Actually depends on what chain you get. But I usually pay around $35 per chain and it takes two chains to replace the timing chain. So after 7 or 8 chains you have paid for the belt drive. Plus there is the cost of chain lube. I have heard a belt can last that long although the official claim is 2 to 3 times as long as a chain. I have heard mostly positive things about the belt, no lubing, no retensioning, quiet, less backlash, less weight. I guess I am trying to rationalize putting one on the new tandem. It's a personal choice, some prefer a chain and nothing wrong with that.

Would like to hear from other belt owners on their positive or negative experiences.

Yes, that pretty much describes it. We have 3400 miles on our belt drive with zero issues. DA10 with a DA drive chain, and the only thing you hear from the tandem is the squishing of the tire contact patch. SWEET!
The tandem lays down on it's left side in the back of the SUV, and it comes out clean!
I would guess it loses out on efficiency to a chain?

This is from Gate's web site.

How efficient is the system when compared to a chain?

Repeated testing has found new belt drives equally efficient to new chain drives, including a third party test evaluating the Carbon Drive system on a bicycle. Currently, independent testing is being conducted with latest production Carbon Drive components under additional conditions to further confirm the results.

Maybe I will ask them for copy of the test results to back up this claim.

I have not heard anybody claim its slowing them down.

We installed ours as an upgrade to our used Co-Motion Primera Co-Pilot in the spring. We've put almost 4,000 miles on it so far and our very happy. It is very quiet, clean, light weight and we think it is going to be very durable. We wouldn't consider buying a new high end tandem bike without the Gates Carbon Belt.

After one year, and 2,500 miles of use, we're also happy with our belt drive (which cam on our new Co-Motion Speedster). There have been a few maintenance things to learn about because of the differences from chains, but I've written about these elsewhere in this forum and so won't repeat them here. Overall, I have no regrets about going with this option.

A lot of bike manufacturers seem to be exploring the use of belt drives now; there were many new models of single bikes shown at Eurobike and Interbike with belt drives fitted. This can only help to drive costs down a bit.