reckon it will handle water and mud and stuff like that better, BMW use it on their top of the range offroad bike 1200GS, and I have never heard of a belt snapping. I reckon the hub that does the gearing to allow you to use a belt drive might be more problematic.
On Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 10:52 AM, Donald Klopper <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > BMW is now using belts in sevaral models. > > The BMW belt is replaced every 40000km. They are expected to last at least > twice as long. > > Harley used these belts, as do Buell (a division of Harley). > > *Big advantage: no lube, ever. I don't think water is a problem for the > belt.* > *Big disadvantage: I don't think it's fond of sand and dust and mud and > stuff like that. Very expensive. The BMW belt is R4000. I don't know how > that translates to bicycles. Probably double that... R8000 ?? Hehehe.* > ** > So you roadies are in for a pleasant surprise!! > > > > > On Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 10:41 AM, Hardy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > >> Photo 1 of 4 >> >> Bicycle shop manager David Oakley, looks over the carbon fiber belt drive >> of a Trek bike at his shop in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. Trek is >> the first to use the technology for mass-produced bicycles. (AP Photo/Steve >> Helber) >> (c)2008 Google - Map data (c)2008 Tele Atlas - Terms of >> Use<http://www.google.com/intl/en_ALL/help/terms_maps.html> >> Trek introduces chainless bicycles >> >> By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM – 2 days ago >> >> RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Pedalers of the world, unite! You have nothing to >> lose but your chains. >> >> If you've ever been riding down the street and had your pants cuff ripped >> asunder, there may be a revolution at hand. >> >> Trek Bicycle is part of a movement to bury the finger-pinching, >> pants-munching, rust-prone sprocket and chain, and usher in an era of >> belt-driven bikes that might have the inventors of the self-propelled >> transportation Schwinning in their graves. >> >> Wisconsin-based Trek is introducing two models this holiday season that >> are chainless, instead using technology most often found in things like >> motorcycles and snowmobiles. While some smaller custom bike makers have used >> them before, Trek is the first to use the technology for mass-produced >> bicycles. >> >> The nation's largest domestic bike manufacturer is hoping to capitalize on >> a new group of urban pedal-pushers who are trading their cars for a more >> low-tech way to get around because of gas prices as well as health and >> environmental concerns. >> >> The U.S. bicycle industry was a $5.4 billion industry in 2007, including >> the retail value of bicycles, related parts, and accessories through all >> channels of distribution, according to research funded by the National >> Sporting Goods Association. More than 43 million Americans age 7 and older >> were estimated to have ridden a bike six times or more in 2005, the industry >> group said. >> >> "People are really finding bicycles to be a very simple solution to some >> very complex problems that they face every day," said Eric Bjorling, Trek's >> lifestyle brand manager. "Anything we can do in our design to really help >> them and help them live that lifestyle is probably better for both the >> consumers and us." >> >> Bjorling said the new belts are a low-maintenance solution to a chain, >> which has roughly 3,000 parts including all the links and connectors. >> >> Aside from the whisper-quiet ride, the lighter and longer-lasting >> carbon-fiber composite belts won't rust, can't be cut, won't stretch or slip >> and won't leave grease marks around your ankles. A guard over the belt-drive >> and the construction of the system makes getting your pants stuck an >> unlikely scenario, Bjorling said. >> >> One version of the chainless bike, called the District ($930), is a >> single-speed, complete with a silver body, orange accents and brown leather >> seat and handles. The other, called the Soho ($990), is an eight-speed bike >> that uses an internal hub to adjust the speed rather than gears. >> >> Bicycles have come a long way from the "boneshakers back in the 19th >> century," said Orin Starn, a professor at Duke University who teaches a >> course on the anthropology of sports. Some companies have used direct drive >> or drive shaft bikes that provide some of the same benefits as Trek's >> chainless bikes, but those models have yet to replace the age-old chain. >> >> "Certainly for the last 40 or 50 years we have this iconic image of the >> traditional bicycle that includes the chain," Starn said. "We've seen this >> evolution in different styles and stuff, but the chain has been a cultural >> constant." >> >> Bjorling admits chain-driven bikes are still efficient, but said an urban >> rider won't have to worry about greasing or cleaning the chain. The belt can >> be cleaned with a normal cleaning agent and rag, and the bike sprocket is >> designed to push through any snow, dirt or grime. And one belt will >> typically last three years — the life span of three chains. >> >> How riders will take to the new bikes remains to be seen, since they are >> not out for sale yet. The District model will go on sale in December, >> followed the next month by the Soho. There may be those in the biking >> community that may take issue with swapping bike chains with newer >> technology. >> >> "Bike purists are going to take a look at it and say 'oh, you know it's >> another option to a chain,'" Bjorling said. "Are we going to see a ton of >> people switching from a chain to a belt drive? I think in some urban >> environments yes, but it's definitely not the coffin that's gonna bury the >> chain." >> >> Over the years there have been many changes in the bike industry, >> specifically materials that have made products lighter and stronger, said >> David Oakley, a manager at Agee's Bicycles, which has been in business in >> Richmond since 1910. >> >> While some may question the chainless bikes, Oakley pointed to the initial >> skepticism, and eventual success, of mountain bikes. >> >> "We all know that putting gears on a beach cruiser to be able to ride back >> up the hill turned out to be a pretty good thing," Oakley joked of the bike >> industry's most popular segment. >> >> Oakley said there's a general excitement behind the new technology, but >> cautioned that the notion may not ring everyone's bell. >> >> "From a maintenance standpoint, it's huge," he said. "If this really, >> completely takes off, the lubricant industry is probably not going to be >> excited." >> >> >> --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "DarkAndDirty" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DarkAndDirty?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
