Which belt driven hybrid for commute - 12 miles daily

[AdvocatusD]

Hi chaps, I'm in the market for a bicycle and have decided that I want a belt driven bike whether single speed or geared.

I've fallen love with the BMC Alpenchallenge ACO1 IGH Alfine and money no object, that is what I'd buy.

http://www.bmc-switzerland.com/int-en/bikes/lifest...



http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/alpenchall...

However, I think the best part of £2,000 is a little steep for a bike, so I was hoping you guys could guide me towards some alternatives?

My ideal critera:

1. Light
2. Flat bars
3. Belt driven

I'm happy to consider used bikes, so feel free to suggest used bikes on eBay, etc!

I'm about 5 foot 9 inches tall, so a 17 inch frame is probably best.

[craigthecoupe]

https://www.canyon.com/en/urban/urban/

you're welcome.

[untakenname]

Scott sub 10, belt drive with Shimano Alfine hub gear for £900.

I commute in each day from Kent to London on an earlier chain driven one and its been very reliable and well suited to city riding.

[crashley]

craigthecoupe said:

https://www.canyon.com/en/urban/urban/

you're welcome.

What a cracking looking bike. Had no idea belt driven push bikes even existed!

[anonymous-user]

http://m.evanscycles.com/products/moulton/tsr-2-be...

[carreauchompeur]

What's the benefit of belt drive? Smoother?

[GuinnessMK]

craigthecoupe said:

https://www.canyon.com/en/urban/urban/

you're welcome.

Oooooffff. Just worked out where my CTW voucher might be going. No mudguard mounts though?

[anonymous-user]

craigthecoupe said:

https://www.canyon.com/en/urban/urban/

you're welcome.

It's a miracle. A bike that doesn't look like a mobile advertising hoarding. No meaningless phrases plastered all over. Let's hope others take note!

[C0ffin D0dger]

Aside from weighing slightly less I'm struggling to see the advantages of belt drive, anyone care to elaborate?

After all bikes have been chain driven since the dawn of time, why change now? Or go for something even more radical like a drive shaft?

[SixPotBelly]

No (or less?) stretching and no oiling? Quieter? Smoother?

I remember Kawasaki tried a belt drive motorcycle in the '80s - the GPz305. The belts still had to be changed every x,000 miles, but that was less frequently than a chain would, IIRC. It didn't catch on though. Perhaps tradition and resistance to change was part of the reason why it didn't sell too well.

Edited by SixPotBelly on Thursday 9th July 10:54

Edited by SixPotBelly on Thursday 9th July 10:57

[CVP]

Also with the belt, no lubrication required so no oily spots on casual trousers. In theory less maintenance on the drive chain as it should be fit and forget. The drive belt life is meant to be very long for us cyclists as the belt manufacturer makes them for other applications with much more power going through them.

Downsides - if a belt does break you're scuppered until you can fit a new one. Some folks say getting the right belt tension is a bit of trouble in the first place and the first ones the rear sprockets occasionally used to lose teeth. The second evolution of the Gates drive is meant to be very good

When my single speed eventually breaks terminally I like the look of the Spot bikes Rallye for a replacement workhorse for commuting and then with knobblies on a bit of off road action. It's a bit pricey though so man maths may have to come to the fore to assist.

LINK -> https://spotbrand.com/bikes/product-page/rallye-ss...

[rhinochopig]

They actually only last UP-TO 4x longer than a normal chain so there isn't much benefit really.

All you need to know here...

http://cyclingabout.com/carbon-belt-drive-everythi...

[Accelebrate]

Do all of these belt driven bikes have to have a rear triangle that separates? Presumably there's no way of joining a belt like you would a chain to get it onto the bike?

[AdvocatusD]

Back on topic.

Thanks for the suggestions, thus far. Please do keep them coming!

Has anyone been on a BMC Alpenchallenge to comment if it's worth the cash?

Just seen this which looks interesting - any knowledge on this model of BMC?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMC-Urbanchallenge-UC01-...

Edited by AdvocatusD on Thursday 9th July 13:36