‘Clean, quiet, light and strong’ belts to be adopted by more cycle manufacturers
Gates is telling the cyclocross world that ‘belt drives give you a racing advantage’ following its decision to equip its cyclocross racing squad with the Carbon Drive system.
Team Gates Carbon Drive is the first in the world to run belt drive systems exclusively.
Marketing director Paul Tolme explained to BikeBiz why the firm believes belt drive to be the future in this sector.
He said: “The advantages of the belt drive are that they are clean, quiet, light and strong. Cleanliness is an advantage because mud and slop is common at CX races. With our system in particular, this grime gets pushed right through the ‘Mud Ports’ on the sprockets. The silent transmission also means you can sneak up on the competition. The entire system is lighter than a chain drive, too.
“The strength of the belts comes from the non-stretch carbon fibre cords within each. Singlespeed cyclocross racers generate high torque that can easily snap a chain.”
The lack of required lubrication is another firm advantage of the system, meaning even in dusty conditions a belt drive shouldn’t clog up.
Gates also informed BikeBiz that the number of manufacturers utilising belt drives is to massively increase as 2011 stocks land. The number of bikes using Gates own Carbon drive system is to double year-on-year, with at least 90 confirmed models from a variety of manufacturers adopting the technology.
Gates: +49 5185 60266-50
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6 comments
They don't mention that this ONLY works on singlespeed 'cross bikes. Something that has it's own race category (and 'World' championships in the US). It won't work with derailleurs - and I can't see any 'cross racers going for Rohloffs. Might be interesting with the new Genesis Alfine 8 bike though. Again, I can't really see that being raced that much.
Chipps Chippendale Nov 26th 2010 at 2:41PM
0 0Still, if the belts work well enough for racing 'cross it shows how good they are in comparison to traditional chain-drive; and how good they are for the likes of commuter/light tourer bikes... The only real downside is that they can't be retro-fitted to standard frames - you need to be able to split the rear triangle. With new belt-ready frames coming out I'm excited to see how the belt drive thing goes over the next few years.
Mark Meadows Nov 26th 2010 at 3:36PM
0 0But then I can't say I've ever had a problem with a singlespeed chain either - either in mud, or with wear. I think I've been running the same 1/8th singlespeed chain on my Surly for eight years.
Chipps Chippendale Nov 26th 2010 at 3:43PM
0 08 years is a while, you've done pretty well (or not ridden enough! ;) ). Chain drive's been a round since forever - it definitely works, I'm not knocking it. I think that there are some interesting benefits of belt; less maintenance/easier to clean and it's claimed to last longer than a chain. I'll be riding one on my commuter with the Alfine hub (11spd when stock eventually lands)
Mark Meadows Nov 26th 2010 at 4:00PM
0 0We just got our media sample Alfine 11, so they're starting to exist. Hubs like that will really help belt drive's cause - and for commuter bikes, it's a no brainer. I just wanted to point out that having a 'belt-drive only' cyclocross team isn't a particularly great achievement if you're merely racing in a singlespeed-only class. ;-)
Chipps Chippendale Nov 26th 2010 at 4:05PM
0 0Agreed - a singlespeed 'cross team is pretty niche, good marketing maybe! Roll on the 11-spd Alfine belt-drive disc-brake commuter bikes! Have a good weekend!
Mark Meadows Nov 26th 2010 at 4:24PM
0 0