You need a special frame for belt drive. It has to have an opening in the chain stay to get belts on/off. Then, you bolt across the opening to restore the structural integrity of the stay.


My Alfine uses largest rear cog (lowest gear) with a ~42T chain ring*. It goes low enough for me to climb the hills and high enough to pedal down those same hills.


The Alfine price is high (but shop around) but the unit and the Shimano click shifters are superb!






* The crank was originally a triple from a mountain bike but is now a single ring up front. If you try to use multiple chain rings, you need a chain tensioner. If you have that, you might as well stay with a full click shifting derailleur system,... Well, maybe not if it is for your wife but you get the point.