Looks awesome, but i suppose we must be patient and wait 5 years for it to come to SA, wonder if it will be expensive then?
On Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 11:23 AM, Werner Gillmer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
