Belt drive, gravel size tires? Cheap?
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Belt drive, gravel size tires? Cheap?
As the rainy season begins and I dread having to clean and lube my chain so damn much, I find myself wondering about belt drive. And the terrain is mostly flat for my go-to ride/commute. So why not single speed?
Except I don't know where to shop, since I imagine belt drive bikes that fit 35-50mm tires are a bit of a niche product. Edit: Drop bars are a massive preference.
Do y'all have any suggestions for bikes to look at and consider?
Thanks.
Except I don't know where to shop, since I imagine belt drive bikes that fit 35-50mm tires are a bit of a niche product. Edit: Drop bars are a massive preference.
Do y'all have any suggestions for bikes to look at and consider?
Thanks.
Last edited by Sullalto; 11-25-18 at 12:54 AM.
#2
Non omnino gravis
That all comes down to the budget. Lots of flatbar options out there, from a $450 Motobecane Elite Eight to $1,900 for a Cannondale Bad Boy 1 or $3,000+ for a Co-Motion Siskiyou.
Spot Bikes makes some gorgeous belt drive bikes. The Rallye SS is particularly attractive. In the commuter class, the Ajax is also nice.
Spot Bikes makes some gorgeous belt drive bikes. The Rallye SS is particularly attractive. In the commuter class, the Ajax is also nice.
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Trek District SSB - 2016 - $299
https://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.co...b-233067-1.htm
It comes with a bit smaller tires, 32's.
This is just an example. They come up on craigslist once in a while and there is some old stock out there.
-Tim-
https://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.co...b-233067-1.htm
It comes with a bit smaller tires, 32's.
This is just an example. They come up on craigslist once in a while and there is some old stock out there.
-Tim-
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That all comes down to the budget. Lots of flatbar options out there, from a $450 Motobecane Elite Eight to $1,900 for a Cannondale Bad Boy 1 or $3,000+ for a Co-Motion Siskiyou.
Spot Bikes makes some gorgeous belt drive bikes. The Rallye SS is particularly attractive. In the commuter class, the Ajax is also nice.
Spot Bikes makes some gorgeous belt drive bikes. The Rallye SS is particularly attractive. In the commuter class, the Ajax is also nice.
Do you have any other drop bar suggestions? For IGH or single speed?
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Trek District SSB - 2016 - $299
https://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.co...b-233067-1.htm
It comes with a bit smaller tires, 32's.
This is just an example. They come up on craigslist once in a while and there is some old stock out there.
-Tim-
https://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.co...b-233067-1.htm
It comes with a bit smaller tires, 32's.
This is just an example. They come up on craigslist once in a while and there is some old stock out there.
-Tim-
I don't NEED big tires, I can do the ride on 28mm gravel kings. It's not particularly demanding hardpack, but when there's a bit of snow or mud, I just like to be able to choose my own line, rather than have the ruts dictate my line.
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Belt drives need larger cogs because they are harder to flex. Also, they can be damaged if sharp stones or glass get trapped between the belt and the cog. In normal use, they last a long time and are low maintenance. However, it would limit your options for tweaking the bike. Probably cheaper and easier to have two or three chains, swap them once a week or so, and have a chain cleaning session every so often. Introduce economies of scale into the cleaning process!
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Belt drive and serious mountain biking are sometimes incompatible but it should be ok for dirt roads and is certainly great for commuting.
Priority makes a few options... a commuter and a cruiser. Soma has belt compatible MTB frames, not just the Wolverine. Ventana is made in the USA and has belt compatible MTB frames, and they can make you a custom, but $$$ compared to larger volume Asian products. Many belt frames are convertible between hubs using optional dropouts.
Priority makes a few options... a commuter and a cruiser. Soma has belt compatible MTB frames, not just the Wolverine. Ventana is made in the USA and has belt compatible MTB frames, and they can make you a custom, but $$$ compared to larger volume Asian products. Many belt frames are convertible between hubs using optional dropouts.
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 11-25-18 at 05:45 PM.
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The Priority 600 has a Pinion 12 speed gearbox. It is an interesting product.
https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/the600
There is a thread on it in the General forum.
-Tim-
https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/the600
There is a thread on it in the General forum.
-Tim-
#12
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I can help you with belt drive, gravel and single speed. I can't help you with cheap:
https://www.rodeo-labs.com/flaanimal4/
https://www.rodeo-labs.com/flaanimal4/
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I can help you with belt drive, gravel and single speed. I can't help you with cheap:
https://www.rodeo-labs.com/flaanimal4/
https://www.rodeo-labs.com/flaanimal4/
I regret it. A LOT.
That blue is so damned sexy.
I'm probably going to forgo belt drive and get a kilo WT, then swap the tires and add fenders.