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BMX General => BMX Chat => Topic started by: Mikku on November 13, 2017, 12:32 PM

Title: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Mikku on November 13, 2017, 12:32 PM
Saw this at the Midoriyama race track on Sunday. I've read about belt drives online but it was the first time to see one in the flesh. & very nice it was too. The bike belonged to an elite class rider and he's trying to promote these over in Japan.
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Taipan on November 13, 2017, 01:03 PM
Looks cool  :daumenhoch: so who knows the story behind this then? any good etc? I have a belt driven excersize spin bike and the only thing i get is its a lot quieter when riding  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Mikku on November 13, 2017, 02:04 PM
There's some good info in here:-

http://www.bmxsociety.com/topic/39824-belt-drive-for-bmx/?hl= belt  drive

Plus this on the Yess bikes:-

http://www.bmxnews.com/2016/04/yess-belt-drive-cruiser-ready-for-duty/

Interesting stuff!
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Peter J on November 13, 2017, 02:07 PM
Struggling to see the advantage over "normal" chain  :(

Its like the BMX race bikes with rear disc brakes  :-\
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Spen69 on November 13, 2017, 10:00 PM
Struggling to see the advantage over "normal" chain

Doesn't stretch
No oil so doesnt trap dirt
Loads lighter than a chain
Looks cool as fook

Did I miss anything my chunky friend ???
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Mikku on November 13, 2017, 11:08 PM
Its like the BMX race bikes with rear disc brakes  :-\

& this bike had both! :coolsmiley:

I can see the advantages but the cost is prohibitive unless you’re a top, sponsored rider, who are probably the only ones who can see any performance gains anyway. But yes, cool as fook! :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Drawn on November 14, 2017, 08:05 AM
I see the issue that if you damage the belt somehow its not exactly like a trackside shop will have a spare one, plus they are of specific measurements (unlike a chain where you can just break and join it). Also the gearing options are a little limiting at the moment.
There are certainly some advantages as listed earlier but overall its still quite niche.
You can also wash it down. and there is less maintenance as such.

Same as discs, you can reduce rotating mass (can run a lighter rim that doesn't have the braking surface) but then you add the weight in the brake itself.
Or if you go hydraulic, not many trackside shops can easily fix it like a cable V brake.
Mind you I have been considering a Hydraulic V brake for giggles (451mm disc brake?  :daumenhoch: )

Looks different though. (have seen one in person)
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: griff on November 14, 2017, 09:37 AM
so they can't be split/rejoined - how do they go on? through a gap in the frame? (is that what that little red section on the seat stay is is for, looks like it can come out?)
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: VOIVOD on November 14, 2017, 10:01 AM
 :) Yess have been toying with these for a while.URP also have a belt compatible system on the market already but you have to remove the whole rear end (both dropouts & axle)
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: oldschoolace on November 14, 2017, 01:00 PM
Its a long held project idea of mine to do a belt drive Raleigh Vectar!
They were originally inteded to be belt drive but slipage issues made raleigh revert back to a chain.
(im guessing the belt was a tension v belt or similar rather than a toothed design)  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: griff on November 14, 2017, 01:38 PM
Its a long held project idea of mine to do a belt drive Raleigh Vectar!
They were originally inteded to be belt drive but slipage issues made raleigh revert back to a chain.
(im guessing the belt was a tension v belt or similar rather than a toothed design)  :daumenhoch:

wouldn't the belt create a lot of smoke though, when the bike is placed on the bonfire?
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: oldschoolace on November 14, 2017, 02:10 PM
Shocking! 80s Design classic is the vector!!!
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: kalex on November 14, 2017, 04:28 PM
I've been looking at getting a commuter bike with alfine 11 speed hub and they come in chain and belt versions.

The belt type has a centre ridge I think around the circumference of the chain ring and a groove in the belt which I guess stops the belt from coming off
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: BMX1973 on November 14, 2017, 08:14 PM
Looking at it, I would have thought it would slip off front sprocket.

Looks cool  8)
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: kalex on November 14, 2017, 09:24 PM
Looking at it, I would have thought it would slip off front sprocket.

Looks cool  8)

Think its got what I said above to stop this
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: part time on November 15, 2017, 07:35 AM
I just can't get over having to have a removable section on the seat stay.....
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Wadz on November 15, 2017, 08:30 PM
Can see it been lighter , with all that extra shit needed
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Drawn on November 16, 2017, 06:18 AM
I just can't get over having to have a removable section on the seat stay.....

Id like to see the whole rear end be changeable like an Auburn.
(but so you can get the belt out)
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Midschoolfool on November 17, 2017, 09:39 AM
Awesome. I bet it's quiet too.
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: VOIVOD on November 17, 2017, 11:42 AM
 :) https://www.urbanraceparts.co.uk/moto-race-bmx-frame
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Mikku on November 17, 2017, 11:46 PM
That’s ^^^^ a tasty-looking piece of kit!!! :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Mikku on November 25, 2017, 08:45 AM
As is this - the latest concept frame from Yess! Called the "Show Stopper", here's the blurb:-

"The Show Stopper features an “abbreviated” seat stay on the drive side of the frame and, thus, no traditional brake mounts. Disc brakes are starting to gain momentum in BMX racing, so we committed to building a disc-brake-only frame, allowing us to “abbreviate” this stay, with no separation needed to install a belt. This design helps Chain drive users as well; you don’t need to separate the chain to remove it. You can carry a spare for popular gear changes without a chain break."

Read more at http://www.bmxnews.com/2017/11/yess-bmx-2017-grands-concept-frame/#po7V2dtXHMmRejHz.99
Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Drawn on November 27, 2017, 06:54 AM
Did you end up seeing the "Alpha" frame by Michael Von Sothan? 
http://www.sugarcayne.com/2017/11/von-sothen-alpha-bicycles-os20-bmx-bike/ (http://www.sugarcayne.com/2017/11/von-sothen-alpha-bicycles-os20-bmx-bike/)
Seems like a much cleaner way for the belt to be installed.

Along with the 135 wide hub (MTB spec) so it still allows a good lacing of the wheel (stiffness)

Title: Re: Belt drive anyone?
Post by: Mikku on November 27, 2017, 11:38 AM
Nah, hadn't seen it, so have just had a butcher's! I like it! :daumenhoch:
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