Would it be possible for them to change it from a single speed to a 10 speed? Replace the carbon drive belt with a chain?

Is there any posted test data regarding the carbon drive belt?

I think that what Trek was shooting for with the District Carbon was a simple, yet technologically advanced, maintenance-free bike. There are plenty of geared, carbon bikes available but this is targeted at a very limited market. That is one helluva sexy bike, and if I had money to burn I would add it to my stable. As for test data there are many threads here regarding belt-driven bikes (just search "belt drive"), and Harley-Davidson has been using similar technology on their motorcycles for years. I'm pretty sure the belt could take whatever you threw at it.

Thanks irclean, good information.

I'm military and my buddy says they run very similar carbon drive belts on various machines. Those belts rotate around 15,000 RPH, day in and day out. He says they rarely have to replace them. If I'm pulling anywhere near that RPH, well I don't know. You tell me.

PS, I think it's sexy as hell, too.

Yeah, I just don't understand why you'd change what is basically a Trek Madone into a... Trek Madone. If you wanna do that, just buy the Madone.
-Gene-

Good question Amani576!

1. I'd like to ride this to work and around town and be able to lock it up. I could leave it out of sight or within arms reach more so than a Madone 6.9 (which came in today).
2. How is this basically a Madone? Honest question, you know more about this than I do and I'm curious.

Thanks.

Gates has been using the carbon belts for the motorcycle market for 20-25 years and non-carbon belts have been used on motorcycles for decades.

That is a damn sexy bike for sure, and that is coming from a "steel is real" guy. One of my local bike shops has one on the floor, and the thing damn near disappears due to the stealthiness of the materials. It looks like a bicycle-shaped void zone. Absolutely sweet bike.
Instead of loading it up with gears i'd throw an Alfine 11 on it (in black, of course)m but the rear wheel would comprise damn near half of the bike's total weight.

I'd be hard pressed to see a bike like that for anything other than pure fun rather than as a tool for transportation.

It's mostly for riding around town to friends houses and the like. Possibly commuting to work, but we'll see how it rides

I can't find a 60cm to save my life.

Why is it basically the same bike as a Madone? Geometry is almost identical, and it's built alongside the Madones at Treks Waterloo OCLV factory. It's only truly different in that it doesn't have a derailler hanger, or much in the way of cable routing.
-Gene-

Thanks!

I know there aren't any inexpensive options to lighten this thing up; however if I were to upgrade this over time, which components would an experienced cyclist upgrade first?

PS,
I'm about to buy a cheapo commuter bike so I can learn how to wrench on these things. The thought of working on anything over $1,000 puts the fear of God in me.

Dude.. It's a carbon singlespeed Ride it like it is!

saddle, pedals, maybe handle bar

I don't know much. The bike stock weighs like 15.6lbs.
As was said, get a carbon railed saddle. light pedals, carbon handlebar and lighter brake levers (Campagnolo most likely unless you wanted some carbon TT or cross levers). The only big weight difference I can see making would be carbon rimmed wheels. Get the rims from Zipp 202's or other carbon climbing wheel (tubular would help even more) and then you could likely get the bike to less than 14, maybe even 13lbs. But thats some big money to do so.
-Gene-

Light pedals for sure. The rest over the course of the next year or two (or not at all).

Question: The roads around my town are mostly smooth, but there's the occasional stretch of rough gravel-peppered pavement. Will this bike do fine on those stretches? I obviously avoid the potholes, rocks etc., but if I do hit something, will these wheels be fine? How about carbon? And would there be a downside to putting hybrid tires on this thing? If this thing does weigh in at sub-16lbs, then I have a lot of wiggle room as far as wheels/tires/other components go.

It should be arriving within the month, so I'll give you guys the weight once it does.

Light pedals for sure. The rest over the course of the next year or two (or not at all).

Question: The roads around my town are mostly smooth, but there's the occasional stretch of rough gravel-peppered pavement. Will this bike do fine on those stretches? I obviously avoid the potholes, rocks etc., but if I do hit something, will these wheels be fine? How about carbon? And would there be a downside to putting hybrid tires on this thing? If this thing does weigh in at sub-16lbs, then I have a lot of wiggle room as far as wheels/tires/other components go.

It should be arriving within the month, so I'll give you guys the weight once it does.