fireworkz

Hi all..

Was wondering.. would it be possible to convert the DT Mini or D3 Curve or other nice folders to the Kevlar Belt drive system..



Asking out of curiosity ...

This company has them ...

Thks..fireworkz

Bacciagalupe

The product is OEM only. So, no.

14R 

They do offer sampling though...

cyclistjohn

Useful link, thanks.

Yet the spec's & FAQ seem geared to end users - useful to Strida & a couple of other belt driven bike riders for example. The belt has a ribbed back, unlike the smooth surface of the Strida belt.

It'd be worthwhile emailing them if only to express interest, asking if they have a distributor who'd be prepared to sell to an end user, & at what price.

makeinu

Really? I was thinking the opposite. The spec talks about how the frame needs to be manufactured to more exact tolerances than it would be for a chain driven bike. Doesn't sound like the kind of thing that could be added after market (or even before market if the frame wasn't manufactured specifically with this device in mind).

cyclistjohn

"
Won't the belt need regular tensioning to prevent it from falling off or skipping??Once tensioned during installation at the factory, the CDrive belt will not need any further adjustment.
Does the belt skip??The CDRIVE system will not jump or skip under any normal pedaling pressure. In some circumstances, a strong and experienced rider 'putting the system to the test' might be able to skip the belt. This is not recommended as it can lead to shortened belt life.
Does the belt need any lubrication or maintenance? ?No, the belt will never need lubrication. The only maintenance required might be to occasionally wash off any grit or dust that might accumulate on the sprockets with a brush and water.
BELT TENSION:?Adequate tensioning of the belt is critical to the success of the CDRIVE™ system. Belt tension should be as tight as possible without over stressing the axle bearings. Once correctly adjusted during installation, no further tension adjustment is necessary.
Note: If racheting occurs (jumping sprocket teeth when belt is under load tension) it is because initial belt tension is insufficient. This can shorten belt service life and therefore must be avoided.

MAINTENANCE?Avoid build up of mud and grit on the sprockets which can cause wear to the belt and sprockets. Clean if necessary with water and brush.
"

I'd have thought those points more pertinent to an end user?

The rest is important to a manufacturer & also of interest to an end user, particularly one who is interested enough to pursue something as radical as a belt drive :-)

makeinu

Yeah, but they keep emphasizing correct installation, of which they have to say:
"FRAME DESIGN
1. The frame must have an elevated chain stay or separated stays joined by the rear axle bolt.
2. Stiffness in the rear stays and bottom bracket shell must be sufficient to avoid flexing which can cause misalignment under pedaling load.
3. Chain stay length is critical; the belt length cannot be altered. Allow for adjustment of + and - 10 mm to install and tension belt.
4. A precise belt tensioning system must be included in the frame design. It is recommended that the rear sprocket centers (dropouts) be adjustable fore and aft in order to install the belt and to allow for its proper tensioning. BMX style chain tensioning devices are satisfactory.

ALIGNMENT
Accurate alignment of all components is crucial. This system requires closer tolerances than commonly employed with a conventional chain drive set-up. The frame needs to be built precisely and carefully checked prior to installation.

Isn't a belt drive less efficient than a chain?
Normally that is the case. WIth the patented high precision close tolerance engineering of the CDrive system, the power transfer is 98% efficient ; similar to that of a conventional roller chain.

Can the CDrive belt system work on any bike?
The system is not recommended for Mountain bikes or other situations where conditions could be very muddy. Otherwise, it's suitable for any kind of bicycle that has been designed to use the system.

What makes CDrive different than other belt drive systems?
This is a proven system using a patented belt and sprocket interface made to extremely close tolerance specifications. No other system for bicycles has been engineered to such high specifications.

Can any 8mm pitch sprockets be used with the belt?
No; the patented sprocket and belt combination of the CDrive system must be used together to achieve a satisfactory result.

The CDrive system is currently available only as original equipment for Bicycle Manufacturers*.
*It is not possible to install the CDrive system onto a bicycle that has not been specifically designed to work with this belt drive system.
"

BTW, this is the belt system used by the iXi bike.