The Anti-Chain: Carbon Belt Drive Upgrade for Bikes

looks great, now put a link in it so everyone can use it!

Bo, links are points of weakness. the belt is a continuous span, and its strength is due to the fact it has no “weak links” to fail like a chain.

Since it’s an aftermarket setup, how do the split-frame dropouts work? Is that a prerequisite for adapting your bike to this?

Carbon Drive isn’t just an after-market setup. There are 90-plus bike models from multiple brands that spec Carbon Drive in 2011. Most are built with a split in the rear triangle so the belt can be installed. Check out this video if you want to learn more about how to install or work with Gates Carbon Drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPoKawd1y9M

As a framebuilder and a quiet proponent of singlespeeds, I’m attracted to the simplicity of the belt drive.

However, there are two issues that really keep me far, far away from it:

1. Cost.

2. Problems with icing in the winter months will cause the belt to get thrown/damaged and need replacing.

I have not experienced #2 personally, nor seen it happen, but have heard about it from 2 independent sources that I trust. (If Gates wants to send me some hardware for testing, they’re more than welcome to.)

Ah, so this isn’t an aftermarket setup at all – it’s saying that Gates themselves came out with a new product and are wanting more frame builders to hop on the bandwagon. The article made it sound like it was a consumer add-on. Gotcha.

Besides Spot brand bikes, where can I find the other bike brands/models that are coming out with Carbon Drive in 2011?

There’s a pretty decent list on Gates site but I’m not sure how up-to-date it is these days – Gates had a ton (over 50 I think?) of different bikes on display at last years Interbike and I would think they’d have even more this Summer at the 2011 one.

Thanks for the list jpea!