SPOT SS’s now come fitted with these.
http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/whycds.php
Lighter than a chain, no lube, no maintenance and they claim you’re legs will wear out before it does.
So where’s the fun in that?
Trek is introducing them in their 2009 line of urban bikes.
I like the idea but still too early to say if it’ll work for bicycles.
“A split frame’s required, but that’s about it.”
Yep, they’re just about everywhere 
I’ll be looking out for split frames next council hard rubbish day.
Des might be able to use one on his Kostrikin.
What is a split frame? Did I see one on the MASH dvd I was watching the otherday? 
Seriously, what is a split frame?
This is…
The driveside dropout has to open up so you can insert/remove the belt. Have a look at images of the Spot frames.
Alternatively, get an old school elevated chainstay frame.
Snowflake: That’s just harsh!
I’m waiting until I can run this on my new SRAM fixed/free on one side hub.
See you in hell! :evil:
Someone remind me what the point is again?
revenue
You get to be a unique snowflake amongst a world of chains?
For city bikes the lack of lube (effort & dirtying of clothes) is a bonus. But so is a chainguard.
Anyone else here old enough to remember Betamax?
A few of you would have seen our old ‘rubber band’ bikes. Still have one in the shed. Also have put a belt on my folding carbon monocoque single speed. Stuffed up the ratios so have to get another rear pulley to get it going right. Have to get it ready for the film fest again
Evan
There is absolutely no reason for it not to work. Toothed belts have worked in many environments that are far more harsh than any bike will ever encounter. It’s about time it has become more common on bikes.
Sure there aren’t many bikes that have the split frame, but with basically everything coming with replaceable derailleur hangers these days, it would be really easy for a bike maker to integrate the split into that and have the hanger hold it together. The principal is obviously the same regardless of if the bike had a derailleur or not, or if it has forward, horizontal or rear facing drop outs.
I’m not doubting the technology. Perhaps I should have been more clear. It’s success really depends on how big it gets and if more manufacturers jump in. Gear choices are limited at the moment and that’s not a good thing. One thing I am concerned about is that you apparently have to run these belts at higher tensions than regular chains. To me that means premature wear of hub and bottom bracket bearings.
The higher tension may possibly cause slightly faster wear on wheel and bottom bracket bearings as you’ve said, but I would guess that it wouldn’t be a significant problem. Think about how many people would ride with chains far too tight.
I agree with you on it being more of an economic thing though. It really does just come down to whether or not a major manufacturer decides to promote it. I’ve seen a few around recently though, the majority with internal gear hubs so hopefully it does catch on.
The main problem we came across when doing a belt drive was the frictional loss. Rubber belts need to be so tight so they don’t jump teeth. We started with a standar20mm wide round toothed belt and needed and idler pulley with an eccentric to get tension. The one we ended up with was a 16mm propylene belt that was stainless steel belted. Much less friction and much quieter. Zero maintenance, no lube so very clean.
Evan
I can see this with internal speed hubs working very well.
Yep that’s what we had.
Sram Spectro 7 and a Rohloff.
Evan