joose

"Interbike did show me the future. Internal hubs with belt drives will take over the market."

Yan

So.. any chance of this Yan? (I'm hoping yes as I'm sick of chains)

downtube

Not anytime soon. There were three belt drive companies at the show, however none of them had cogs for the Sturmey Archer 8sp hub. Additionally cost is an issue with a bad economy.

We will be one of the first to the market with belt drives, but it is too early at this time.

Thanks,
Yan

joose

Looking forward to them

Sammyboy will get some custom off me when you do

Urbanis

Me too, I'm sick of the grease accidentally getting over everything (pants, hands, etc.). A belt drive and internal hub will really make for a clean folder for multi-modal commuting. I will definitely line up to buy one when it's available--hopefully, the economy will improve, the cogs will be developed, and Yan will roll out a belt drive on the Mini. :-)

downtube

FYI no belts will work with rear suspension bikes ( like the mini ). As I said before I do not expect to have a belt drive bikes anytime soon.

Thanks,
Yan

joose

How about getting rid of the suspension and fitting Big Apples? Come on Yan, you want a belt as much as we do lol

JosephLMonti

+1

chagzuki

And making the frame curved? Red?

Urbanis

how about getting rid of the suspension and fitting big apples?

+1

A bike like the Mini would really benefit from a belt drive. I spend a lot of time folding, unfolding, and carrying it upstairs, into crowded subways, etc.--situations where we get up close and personal. Also, I want to be confident that I can wear clothes for a professional or social situation and not ruin them just because I opted to use my bike to get there.

Yan, we know it will take time. We'll be patient. :-)

JosephLMonti

I wasn't necessarily advocating for the belt drive system (although it does sound interesting), but more the idea of doing away with the Mini's rear suspension. I ride a Downtube NS that I bought this summer. One of the first mods I did was to put on Big Apples and a sprung saddle which made the ride nice and smooth. I couldn't say for sure but I suspect that the same set up (BAs n' sprung saddle) would handle suspension duties for the Mini just fine

Urbanis

Another good reason for ditching the rear suspension on the Mini is so that it can have an integrated rear rack, which will make it a great all-around commuter bicycle.

BruceMetras

You really don't need to ditch the rear suspension.. it takes practically nothing to lock it out.. then you can ride it 'hard tail' for all practical purposes... if you ever did want some rear suspension, you could reverse your mods and go with something other than a simple spring.. Jur made use of common rubber doorstops with success, I used a Birdy elastomer...

Urbanis

Hi Bruce, how do I lock out the rear suspension on the Mini? I picked up a Birdy red elastomer, thinking I would at least damp the suspension using that.

JosephLMonti

Bruce,

You make a good point...rather than scrap the Mini's suspension, it just needs a few mods. I like this alternative b/c more people will be satisfied - those who want suspension and those who don't (admittedly, my suggestion leaves some people out in the cold). I do think, however, that Downtube (or another aftermarket company) could offer these mods in an off-the-shelf package for those of us who are "mechanically challenged"