[DirtMcGirk]

Would it be possible to run something like the Carbon Drive belt drive system on a DH bike?

I know you have to have a frame that you can open up the rear triangle on, so my 303 might work. I was in Whistler a couple years ago, and saw some wild French guy running a single speed set up. I was lamenting the death of my derailleur at the time, and since I don't like the idea of running a tensioner in the rear, I thought this might be an option.

Any thoughts?

 

[P.T.W]

Hate to break it to ya, but im %99 percent sure you will need some kind of tensioner with your 303 as the rear wheel dosnt stay a constant distance from you BB through its travel....if you had something with a concentric pivot it would work....depends on what length belts are avalable too.

There's pics on here somewhere of a dude with a belt drive Brooklyn.

 

[binary visions]

You'd definitely still need a tensioner... and chains are so friggin' efficient, I guess I don't see the big draw to it?

 

[was?]

i wouldn´t jump on the beltdrive bandwaggon yet, you´d have to run a tensioner and the belts are prone to breaking if bent vertical to their apliccable loading direction. and trying to get a spare one is probably impossible.

 

[HAB]

Not gonna work. The belts have to be under pretty high tension to work right. You're not going to make that happen on a bike with non-zero chain growth and fixed dropouts.

 

[HardtailHack]

You could use a older style chain guide that has a sprung lower pulley/guide, something like a Goldtec or RooX guide.

 

[was?]

and from what i´ve heard they aren´t that great in snow and mud, up to the point that they may seize your drive...

 

[primo661]

You'd definitely still need a tensioner... and chains are so friggin' efficient, I guess I don't see the big draw to it?

Obviously you didn't get the memo, eh? Chains are so last year, just like derailers

 

[primo661]

Not gonna work. The belts have to be under pretty high tension to work right. You're not going to make that happen on a bike with non-zero chain growth and fixed dropouts.

The carbon cords inside the patented Gates Carbon Drive™ belt offer, for the first time, the necessary tensile strength and high modulus to provide the smooth, clean, and long lasting ride advantage of a “belt” driven system in a bicycle application. The specially designed tooth pitch and meticulously engineered sprocket profile afford the belt efficiency equal to that of a standard chain, with the low tension necessary to prevent unnecessary bearing load on other components.

What low tension is though, eludes me.

EDIT: I downloaded the tension requirements pdf and it requires proper tensioning that results in 1/2in belt deflection when 5-10 pounds of force is applied. Far too high for use on a bike with a changing chainstay length unless your tensioner has a massive spring which nullifies the advantages of the belt anyways. Wait, what are the advantages of a belt?

 

[Jason4]

Belts run quiet and have zero maintenance between replacements. They are common on street motorcycles but they are not used on dirtbikes at all. One of the big problems is that if you were to pick up a rock on the inside of the lower side of the belt and it were to ride on the belt to the point that it was compressed between the belt and the rear sprocket the belt will be damaged. The likelyhood of that happening on the road if fairly small, the chances on a fireroad at Whistler are much higher.

Besides, as it was already pointed out, you'd still need to use a tensioner.

 

[lovebunny]

this thread has made me want to make an internally geared DH wheel. any hubs out there that are strong enough? i know the nexus and alphine are out.

 

[xy9ine]

this thread has made me want to make an internally geared DH wheel. any hubs out there that are strong enough? i know the nexus and alphine are out.

the rohloff is definitely burly enough, but i wouldn't really want that kind of weight on my wheel.

 

[SteezyWeezy]

no.
/thread

 

[rigidhack]

the rohloff is definitely burly enough, but i wouldn't really want that kind of weight on my wheel.

I've said it before, but I think it would be awesome to have Rholoff make a lighter version with maybe 7 speeds.

 

[gonefirefightin]

while your at it you should throw on tire balls a gravity dropper and some sweet water bottle cages

 

[sethimus]

buy a nicolai gear box bike. they come with the belt drive as an extra option.

 

[slowitdown]

I think you should skip the belt drive and go straight for the flux capacitor drive system. It's been approved by Dr Emmett Brown so it's sure to be a winner.

Why bother with chains and belts when you can use a flux capacitor?​

 

[IH8Rice]

paging W00dy

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

+1 to w00dy...get in here Dave.

 

[crohnsy]

Doesn't someone on here own a Superco with Belt Drive?....

The belt is nice, quiet, and smooth

 

[HAB]

Doesn't someone on here own a Superco with Belt Drive?....

The belt is nice, quiet, and smooth

It's a Brooklyn, and that someone is Woody, who's already been called to the white courtesy phone about 10 times in this thread.

 

[crohnsy]

It's a Brooklyn, and that someone is Woody, who's already been called to the white courtesy phone about 10 times in this thread.

MY bad.... Didn't realize he put Superco decals on his Brooklyn...

 

[w00dy]

Sorry I'm late.
This is an old Mini Link, I rebadged it to give credit where it was due.

If you have a bike which gives you the ability, I highly recommend the belt. It's a bit tricky to set up, sensitive to tension and alignment. The light weight and high tension of the belt mean it never slaps the chainstays (beltstays?). It doesn't feel any less efficient either. You do need a bike with a concentric pivot. Tensioners just aren't up to the task.


The belt I have is made for commuter bikes, so the pulleys pack up in muddy conditions. Once this dies I fully intend to spring for the CDS parts. Their pulleys are vented to let mud out.