How Cycle Designers Are Taking Advantage Of The Belt Drive
How Cycle Designers Are Taking Advantage Of The Belt Drive
It’s been a feature of several of the ranges announced recently by some of the world’s leading bike producers that the top-of-the-range models have featured a belt drive instead of the traditional chain.
The bike chain has been about in all probability ever since the invention of the bicycle itself, and a very clever invention it is too. The strength and flexibility of the metal links in the chain give excellent power transmission.
And it goes without saying, the big advantage of a chain drive is that it can use derailleur gears. The development of derailleurs over the years has been just extraordinary. With numbers of gears going from 5 up to 30, derailleurs have been found on bikes of all kinds – from mountain bikes to Tour de France racers. So why change a winning formula?
Actually there are features of a chain drive that cause problems for the cyclist:-
- A chain needs to be oiled, so you run the risk of getting oil and dirt on clothing.
- If not kept oiled, the chain will corrode and get noisy.
The belt drive gets over these disadvantages.The chain is replaced with a toothed belt – made generally from polyurethane with a tough carbon fibre reinforcement for extra strength.
The thickness of the belt means that there obviously have to be design modifications – the rear sprocket and chainring have to be replaced with completely different designs to accommodate the belt. In addition, the frame itself has to be altered, as the continuous belt will not go over the chainstay. This means that either the chainstay has to be produced with a break, or a removable dropout must be used.
However, the benefits are plain to see:-
- Completely clean running, as the belt does not need lubrication at all.
- Quiet operation
- A belt will as a rule last 2 or 3 times as long as a chain.
The other main issue is that derailleur gears cannot be fitted, so belt drives will consequently be limited to single speed or internal gear hub bikes. These internal gear hubs are improving all the time – the truth is they are now available with up to 11 ratios.
As an case in point, the SUB 10 from Scott employs a Gates Carbon Drive to significant advantage, pairing it with an 8-speed Alfine drive to give a pretty much maintenance-free city bike that will get you to the office quickly and cleanly.
A belt drive appears to be a major contribution to the world of the commuter and city bike.
Stephen Bailey is a keen cyclist and contibutes extensively to online product review and information sites.
This article on belt-drive bikes, such as the Scott SUB is one of many articles on bikes, cycling equipment and accessories that he has researched and written for Tern Cycling Reviews.
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