the latest belt drive bikes look very attractive with the promise of long service life with clean and quiet operation,does a belt drive cause more drag and friction absorbing precious watts compared to chain drive and what is the procedure in the event of rear wheel removal.
chain or belt drive?
- Thread starter nemesis
- Start date
Belt will never be as efficient as chain, whatever the claims, but today's ones are quite good and the losses are very small and not relevant on an e-bike where assist power is available.
But the downside is that if one fails on the road, you're stuck, whereas with a chain you could often get out of trouble with a quick link or repair tool and chain section. Also with almost all frame designs, the frame has to separate to fit a belt.
The only special belt difficulty with wheel removal is that the alignment of the wheel must be perfect afterwards. If the belt runs at even a very slight angle it will shred very quickly.
.
But the downside is that if one fails on the road, you're stuck, whereas with a chain you could often get out of trouble with a quick link or repair tool and chain section. Also with almost all frame designs, the frame has to separate to fit a belt.
The only special belt difficulty with wheel removal is that the alignment of the wheel must be perfect afterwards. If the belt runs at even a very slight angle it will shred very quickly.
.
i had to visit 50c for a charger for my focus so while i was there i had a ride round the car park on their demonstrator,setting off with the belt drive felt instant as if the cranks are on the rear wheel axle and the drive was silent,the thought of low maintenance and lack of oil mess is a pro but the con is the premium price and puncture fixing at the roadside.
If many bikes around the world (electric or otherwise) are still using derailleurs and chains, then it probably means other advances are not really required or that much better, otherwise they would have replaced old technologies.
My bike (with a chain and derailleur) is very quiet, but I keep it in good condition (wiping the chain regularly for instance). I have done 1,200 so far on one chain, so not overly concerned about having to change it too frequently.
My bike (with a chain and derailleur) is very quiet, but I keep it in good condition (wiping the chain regularly for instance). I have done 1,200 so far on one chain, so not overly concerned about having to change it too frequently.
Second the above, belts need special frames.
Or one could use an outrigger pulley for the rear wheel, albeit one would need a bearing in the frame for the wheel axle.
Or one could use an outrigger pulley for the rear wheel, albeit one would need a bearing in the frame for the wheel axle.
The Smart is one of the most attractive modern frame designs around. I like the nCycle too as well as the gocycle which both have similar approaches for the rear wheel.
Carbon belt drive and hub gears, the most silent option available. Lovely. 
Sadly any electric motor is going to spoil that silence though, so I'd just stick to a conventional chain set up.
The Scott sub ten that I borrowed some time back, was quite amazing to ride, although the gearing was frustrating wrong at both ends. Too high for steep hill climbing, and too low for fast road riding. Not sure if the record still holds, but belt drive was good enough to set the fastest around the world record. It would be interesting to know how many changes took place though.
In normal use, carbon drive belts are hardly likely to ever snap, as you should see any issues as they arise, and replace long before it gets to that stage.
The only downsides as I see it, are that belt replacement cost is expensive, and don't even think about looking at costs of changing the gearing.
Sadly any electric motor is going to spoil that silence though, so I'd just stick to a conventional chain set up.The Scott sub ten that I borrowed some time back, was quite amazing to ride, although the gearing was frustrating wrong at both ends. Too high for steep hill climbing, and too low for fast road riding. Not sure if the record still holds, but belt drive was good enough to set the fastest around the world record. It would be interesting to know how many changes took place though.
In normal use, carbon drive belts are hardly likely to ever snap, as you should see any issues as they arise, and replace long before it gets to that stage.
The only downsides as I see it, are that belt replacement cost is expensive, and don't even think about looking at costs of changing the gearing.
Biomega are about to announce their first e bike, no mention yet if it will incorporate their shaft drive.
https://www.bikesoup.com/magazine/biomega-copenhagen-review-shaft-drive-designers-dream
A centre mounted motor incorporating the gears with shaft drive would be interesting. Possibly not for the MTB riders but as a Town /leisure bike would be nice.
https://www.bikesoup.com/magazine/biomega-copenhagen-review-shaft-drive-designers-dream
A centre mounted motor incorporating the gears with shaft drive would be interesting. Possibly not for the MTB riders but as a Town /leisure bike would be nice.
riding the integrale s11 with the carbon belt drive was a surreal experience after only ever having chain drives,silent transmission of power with almost no motor noise and it was in the highest power mode,maybe in the future more and more e-bikes will be fitted with belts or even shaft drive.
I was in 'The Range' shopping with my girlfriend and happen to notice Slime Tyre Sealant (the 8oz Bottle) on sale for a fiver. I bought one and have done both wheels on my Freego Hawk. I love my Hawk, but next electric bike will have a belt drive and internal hub gears, I need my next e-bike to require less maintenance and be much quieter.
Beautiful bike, but it just screams, steal me!A reminder, not all bikes need special separating frames to have belts. Those like this Smart don't, a replacement belt just drops straight on:
The build quality of the Kalkhoff belt driven e-bike that i test rode was incredible,well worth a look.
Riese and Muller Nevo has a special frame with a high chain stay allowing belt change when needed.
Related Articles
-
MTF Enterprises announces acquisition of EMU Electric Bikes- Started by: Pedelecs
-
Wisper 806T folding bike wins Which? ‘Best Buy’- Started by: Pedelecs
-
Sustrans calls for protected cycle lanes- Started by: Pedelecs
-
Amazon launch their first UK e-cargo micromobility hub- Started by: Pedelecs
