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Belt drive for katy trail
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4ladyjays from Washington on 6/23/2013 5:20:50 PM:
I ride the katy a lot, and rarely ever shift. Has anyone used one of the bikes with a belt instead of a chain. Does sand and grit hurt the belt? I have had little issue with the chain but this tech on
Logo looks intriguing.
 
Anonymous on 6/23/2013 8:10:52 PM:
Don't have the answer, but have wondered the same thing. Hope someone has experience and can answer. I ride the KATY single-speed (sometimes free-wheel, sometimes fixed gear) and really enjoy it in that setting. The belt-drive would be another fun twist.
 
ArkyKenny on 6/23/2013 8:45:23 PM:
I don't know the answer to the belt drive thing either, but I have considered both a Rohloff internally geared rear hub and the cheaper but similar Shimano Alfine rear hub. Both give you gears and the straight pull chain setup of a single speed bike without the rear derailleur to worry about. I have not pursued it further because I decided that I was just pursuing toys for the sake of pursuing toys, and that the traditional set up works just fine.

If I were doing something like the Tour Divide, I would definitely get a Rohloff and use it with an Salsa Alternator drop out equipped frame (i.e. El Mariachi). I don't know about the belt drive.
 
kevin from Jeff City on 6/24/2013 12:08:56 PM:
A belt drive with an internal or freewheel should be more trouble-free than a chain. There are no links, so dust will not be a problem, no lube to carry, no maintenance at all.
 
ArkyKenny on 6/24/2013 12:30:57 PM:
My understanding of belt drives is that they are great. The problem comes about when you have to change a tire and re-tension the belt: To do that, you need something like 1) a belt tensioner (which effectively puts a derailleur-ish gadget back into the system, 2) a frame that allows you to move the rear wheel back, or 3) an eccentric crank. My point is, think about how you take the rear wheel on/off and how you tension the belt before you jump in to a belt drive system. You will likely need a single speed compatable frame.
 
Paul Toigo from Kansas City MO on 6/25/2013 6:17:04 PM:
In 2011, my son and I rode over a weekend from Sedalia to Jefferson City. I was on my Civia Bryant that has a belt drive and an 8-speed Alfine internally geared hub. My son rode my 2002 Giant TCR1. Neither of us had any issues with our bikes. I attribute that to selecting hearty Schwalbe tires. It's never fun to fix a flat, but it’s more of a chore with a belt drive.

It is erroneous to say that for a belt drive "You will likely need a single speed compatable frame." A belt drive requires a split in the rear triangle which is not a requirement for any chain drive.
 
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