Originally Posted by
TandemGeek
Having put 700 miles or so on our timing belt & sprocket system, it truly does seem like a solution looking for a problem on anything other than bicycles used primarily for urban transporation. There are definitely some advantages in terms of reduced maintenance, but other than being a quiet, having a different 'feel' and reducing a neglible amount of weight from a tandem's total mass they're just not all that different, unless you have a problem on the road. <snip>
Don't forget the "clean." I'm not a big maintenance guy. I'd rather be riding when I'm not working. I keep it all running and keep the drive chain wear to a minimum, but I'd rather not fuss with it. So I really appreciate that with the belt I haven't adjusted the eccentric or cleaned or replaced the chain. That's marvelous. I just have to remember to move the eccentric along with the seatposts once a year to make sure it's all still lubed.
For the PNW I just might be interested in a belt/Rohloff single bike for winter/rain. Ceramic rims. Sealed bearings on the front. No maintenance at all except change the pads once a year. Wouldn't even matter if it got and stayed dirty! Just rain keeps our belt clean enough.
Be that as it may, I've got to go wash the bike now. Need to replace the middle ring, which is no fun on a dirty bike. Frigging chains anyhow.