Dahon Mu N360 NuVinci Gates CarbonDrive belt conversion
09-12-18, 12:53 AM
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Dahon Mu N360 NuVinci Gates CarbonDrive belt conversion
Hi all, I'm a first time poster and I thought I share my conversion.
I got a Dahon mu n360 for my wife and thought I convert it to a belt was the icing on the cake.
I didn't get a Gates crank set because I'm cheap.
Here's the parts list: (I'm sorry as an newbie, I can't post links)
ticycles.com - 110mm to 130mm BCD ADAPTER $39.75 with shipping. (Gates do not make a 110bcd front sprocket so a special adapter was the only solution without buying a new Gates crank set)
Chain tensioner was a combo of 2 types.
From Amazon - Gates Carbon Drive Belt drive CDX rear cog NuVinci- 24t $95.40
From Amazon - Gates Carbon Drive 5 Bolt Center Track Bike Front Sprocket 55T/130mm 5 Bolt 11 Pitch $63.24
From Amazon - TruVativ Steel Chainring Bolt Set $8.45 Two sets.
Total about $296.60
Keep notice that the CDX sprockets have a 3mm offset I've put both front and rear inboard towards the BB.
I hope someone finds this useful!
I got a Dahon mu n360 for my wife and thought I convert it to a belt was the icing on the cake.
I didn't get a Gates crank set because I'm cheap.
Here's the parts list: (I'm sorry as an newbie, I can't post links)
ticycles.com - 110mm to 130mm BCD ADAPTER $39.75 with shipping. (Gates do not make a 110bcd front sprocket so a special adapter was the only solution without buying a new Gates crank set)
Chain tensioner was a combo of 2 types.
- From Amazon.com - Cycle Group PX-CT1300MIN-BK Promax 10mm x 1 Axle Hole C-2 Chain Tensioner $10.46
- From Amazon - SODIAL(R) 2 Pcs Silver Tone Metal Diamond Back Burly Donut Chain Tensioner $2.45
From Amazon - Gates Carbon Drive Belt drive CDX rear cog NuVinci- 24t $95.40
From Amazon - Gates Carbon Drive 5 Bolt Center Track Bike Front Sprocket 55T/130mm 5 Bolt 11 Pitch $63.24
From Amazon - TruVativ Steel Chainring Bolt Set $8.45 Two sets.
Total about $296.60
Keep notice that the CDX sprockets have a 3mm offset I've put both front and rear inboard towards the BB.
I hope someone finds this useful!
Last edited by ka.i; 09-15-18 at 03:49 AM. Reason: Can post pictures!
09-12-18, 06:39 AM
#2
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Interesting indeed; many thanks for posting.
You put the chainwheels offset inboard to avoid issues with belt touching the chainstay I assume?
You put the chainwheels offset inboard to avoid issues with belt touching the chainstay I assume?
09-12-18, 10:32 AM
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I first put the rear sprocket inbroad because I knew in general IGH has more default offset and the Gate belt line is absolutely fixed. My other build was a Rohloff which has a huge offset of 54mm.
I also wanted to avoid belt contact with the plastic ratio selector coupling on the n360. (The metal clip you use to unhook the push / pull cable could contact the belt)
Currently there’s about 8mm of clearance between the belt and the chain stay.
I wish I can post picts
And... apparently I cannot PM as a newbie either
I also wanted to avoid belt contact with the plastic ratio selector coupling on the n360. (The metal clip you use to unhook the push / pull cable could contact the belt)
Currently there’s about 8mm of clearance between the belt and the chain stay.
I wish I can post picts
And... apparently I cannot PM as a newbie either
Last edited by ka.i; 09-12-18 at 10:39 AM.
09-12-18, 11:22 AM
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09-12-18, 12:46 PM
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My stock Mu N360 was 46/18. I don't know if the N360 takes a standard 9 spline Gates cog, but only one size (24T) is listed on the Gates website specifically for Nuvinci. (Maybe the 24T is a guarantee to clear the ratio coupler)
I know by changing the input ratio I might be delivering too much torque to the N360, but I had a 55T ring laying around and a belt that fit the chain stay distance.
I can't reference any maximum input ratio on the N360, but seems the N360 is robust enough to be attached ebikes.
I used the Gates iOS apps to calculate the belt length I needed. I was also able to successfully use the app to check belt tension. (There are YouTube video on how to use the app)
60/24 would closely match the stock ratio.
Hope this is informative.
I know by changing the input ratio I might be delivering too much torque to the N360, but I had a 55T ring laying around and a belt that fit the chain stay distance.
I can't reference any maximum input ratio on the N360, but seems the N360 is robust enough to be attached ebikes.
I used the Gates iOS apps to calculate the belt length I needed. I was also able to successfully use the app to check belt tension. (There are YouTube video on how to use the app)
60/24 would closely match the stock ratio.
Hope this is informative.
09-12-18, 01:38 PM
#6
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Absolutely yes - thank you 
That should be the rear cog - manufacturer product ID: CT1124VMNS :
https://www.vaust.com/fahrradteile/r...be-hinten?c=43
That should be the rear cog - manufacturer product ID: CT1124VMNS :
https://www.vaust.com/fahrradteile/r...be-hinten?c=43
09-14-18, 11:58 PM
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And now that you've converted it, what are your impressions? Do you think it was worth it? Does it feel less efficient?
09-15-18, 03:22 AM
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For one, it is quiet and oil free. So when I'm lifting it out of my car, I don't have to look out for oil on my hands / clothes. Combo with a IGH the biking experience feels more natural. Chain and cassette feels more mechanical.
There should be no impact on efficiency... though I did change the input gear ratio. From: 2.56 (46F/18R) To: 2.29 (55F/24R)
Frankly, I can't tell the difference in ride characteristics.
09-21-18, 10:04 AM
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So, no chainring guard anymore? I know it's an oil-free setup, but I have to imagine the belt can still snag one's pants-leg cuff this way. Thoughts?
09-23-18, 08:30 PM
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The Gates belt is 12mm wide with a 3mm offset depends on which face you mount it.(omnidirectional) You’d probably have to use some triple chain ring bolts to be able to space out the guard.
I’ve never tried.
09-24-18, 07:39 AM
#11
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On the converstions I have done I have also replaced the bottom bracket in order to assure a straight belt line. I did not reverse the Gates Sprockets. Reversing the front Gates Sprocket might bring everything in enough but it would seem doing so to the rear would again offset the belt line. In the stock bike it is not a straight chainline for some reason. Chains to flex a bit. Belts do not.
Nice conversion you have done.
Landis
Nice conversion you have done.
Landis
09-24-18, 07:51 AM
#12
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Is your belt tensioner also using the NuVinci "No Turn Washer" on the axle? Using at lease one on one size is very important. If you leave your axle nuts loose without one of these you can mangle your shifting cables.
It appears that you have the Nuvinci No Turn Washer in place however.
It appears that you have the Nuvinci No Turn Washer in place however.
09-30-18, 10:28 PM
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Is your belt tensioner also using the NuVinci "No Turn Washer" on the axle? Using at lease one on one size is very important. If you leave your axle nuts loose without one of these you can mangle your shifting cables.
It appears that you have the Nuvinci No Turn Washer in place however.
It appears that you have the Nuvinci No Turn Washer in place however.
Yes! I did use the torque arm / washer on both sides. I spend many agonizing hours looking for the proper dropout (with tensioner) setup. (The tensioner sort of slips right inside the dropout notch)
As you can see from my parts list the finalized setup is a combination of 2 different chain tensioner that worked perfectly.
Using the chainring adapter gave me addition points of chain line adjustment if I ever needed it.
Last edited by ka.i; 10-03-18 at 02:16 PM.
12-26-23, 11:44 AM
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Sorry for this necro-post - I was wondering how tensioning the belt actually worked with your set up. It looks like the tensioner attaches to the fixie/single speed style drop out to pull on the wheel axle?
I'm eyeing a Dahon Mu XL on Craigslist and wanted to do a belt drive conversion myself (first time)! Not sure how the tensioning would work with the non-fixie/single speed type drop out though...
I'm eyeing a Dahon Mu XL on Craigslist and wanted to do a belt drive conversion myself (first time)! Not sure how the tensioning would work with the non-fixie/single speed type drop out though...
