Belt drive

[MarkF]

Been looking at a "utility" bike, the Trek Soho, I like the idea of belt drive and disc, anybody owned one? Anybody owned or ridden a belt drive bike and like to give an opinion?

I suppose my main worry is, is the energy output of pedalling the same as via a chain? Does the the belt sap energy, does it stretch?

 

[Smokin Joe]

A motorcycling magazine published the results of research into the efficiencies of chain, belt and shaft drive some years back. Chain drive came easily top with only a 3% loss of energy between gearbox sprocket and rear wheel with the other two a fair way back. Whether that would make much practical difference on the road (particularly on a bicycle) is another matter, I would suspect not unless you were racing.

 

[snailracer]

The belt drive manufacturer, Gates, claims efficiency is equal to a new chain drive.

 

[Howard]

Been looking at a "utility" bike, the Trek Soho, I like the idea of belt drive and disc, anybody owned one? Anybody owned or ridden a belt drive bike and like to give an opinion?

I suppose my main worry is, is the energy output of pedalling the same as via a chain? Does the the belt sap energy, does it stretch?

If the Soho you are looking at still comes with the Shimano Nexus 8 speed you'd be better off worrying about the effciency of the hub gearbox. You are going to lose a lot more there than any comparison of belt vs. chain. That's not to say it's bad, btw.

And doesn't it come with drum / roller brakes?

 

[MarkF]

If the Soho you are looking at still comes with the Shimano Nexus 8 speed you'd be better off worrying about the effciency of the hub gearbox. You are going to lose a lot more there than any comparison of belt vs. chain. That's not to say it's bad, btw.

And doesn't it come with drum / roller brakes?

Thanks Howard, yes. roller barkes. I'll take alook at the hub gears, I like the idea of a belt bike but not any loss of effiency.

 

[colinr]

I know someone who rides a belt, described it as like riding a really tight chain.
Plus it's zero maintenance

 

[Norm]

Whilst the dimensions are different, I run 120hp through a Gates belt drive on my motorbike.

Gates belts do not stretch and, unlike chains, they don't have half a dozen moving parts in every link. They don't need oiling either.

 

[Chickc78]

I have been riding a 2010 Trek Soho on my 6 mile commute since April - the benefits of the enclosed hub plus oil free belt far outweigh any slight inefficiencies.

The only time I notice any 'drag' is when spinning in bottom gear going up a steep climb - not sure if this is more attributable to the Nexus hub as suggested by Howard.

The roller brakes seem to be an aquired taste, they have never bothered me, it just took a few rides to get used to how they react and they have always been more than adequate for me - even managed to lock the wheels when performing emergency stops on more than one occasion.

 

[JDP]

There's a bit about belt drives in Cycling Active this month. One of the bikes featured is the Trek Soho.

 

[bigjim]

Didn't a guy do the RTW thing recently on a belt drive bike?

 

[Campfire]

I think it would be a wonderful idea and I believe that there are some decent bikes offering belt drive. Of course I have no idea of how efficient they are. Riese and Muelller had a Birdy with a belt drive ages ago and I don't think it was very successful but I believe (from my LBS) that the newer ones are so much better. Imagine, no oily marks!!!