Originally Posted by
spircix
Look carefully at the lower part of the seatstay. If you look closely, you can see that it can be split and that on the inside there are screws that hold the seatstay together. That's how you get the belt in there.
Originally Posted by
RubeRad
I've seen systems also where the dropout is the split, and the axle bolts hold it all together.
Yep, and I think there might be other possible ways.
Originally Posted by
bigbenaugust
So you're getting rid of a Trek 850?
The replacement is a thing of beauty.
Thanks! I think I may keep the Trek. Tough to part with after all these years. But maybe!
Originally Posted by
Skipjacks
What's the advantage of the belt drive / internal gearing?
Just low maintenance? Lower weight?
Looks like it'd be extremely easy to clean. Just pull the belt off and hose it off. No grease. No oil. No wax. Dirt gone.
Originally Posted by
RubeRad
Low maintenance yes, but higher weight. Already IGH with a chain is lower maintenance, and with a belt you don't even need to worry about lubing the chain or keeping it clean. Also with an IGH the chain or belt is on a completely fixed track, so it is easy to add a chaincase for even more cleanliness (for your pants, and for the drivetrain). Although if I had a belt drive, I'd want to show it off -- especially if it is as beautiful as this example!
Definitely low maintenance and general cleanliness. I think you wouldn't even need to take the belt off to clean it with a hose. The weight issue is debated on the internet a lot. Certainly a belt weighs less than a chain. Supposedly the two gears and belt weigh less than a chain alone. But the internal geared hub itself is pretty heavy, so often an IGH, belt, and two gears/sprockets weigh more than a chain system with rear cassette, front gears, derailers, and chain.
[MENTION=252435]RubeRad[/MENTION], if you know of a good case/guard for a belt drive, I'd like to know of one. Trek and Spot Bikes come with them, but I haven't seen an aftermarket one.