Bike Commuting

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How many of you have something with a belt drive? What do you think of it? Any regrets? (self.bikecommuting)

submitted 4 months ago by _haha_oh_wow_ to c/[email protected]

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cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/18598001

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/18597997

Been considering a belt driven commuter and wanted to see what you all thought. Thanks!

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

My current daily driver is a belt drive and it is great!

I have never had to worry about the drive train even once, maintenance is essentially just blasting the sucker with water every so often.

I have had it for about a year and have only taken it to the shop for anything related to the drive once, and that was just to flush the fluids in the internal gear hub as is recommended after your first 3 months and subsequently once per year.

I got the Brilliant L - Train through priority on sale, so it was a great deal! And beautiful to boot

[–] _haha_oh_wow_ 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

What IGH do you have?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

It is a shimano nexus 7, nothing fancy

[–] _haha_oh_wow_ 1 points 4 months ago

Does that use oil you drain or do you have to regrease it every year or so?

Also, how do you like it? Is the range ok or do you wish you had more climbing and/or speed?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I have not personally used a belt drive bike, but my research into them means my next bike may well be belt drive.

They are ever so slightly less efficient, compared to a clean chain, but in real world dirty conditions, they can often be better.

They last WAY longer than a chain, and that goes for both the belt and chainrings.

They are easier to clean and last longer. The only con is that you can't have a derailleur based shifting system, but if your goal is low maintenance, you should be using a hub shifter anyway.

Belt plus hub gears is an extremely low maintenance bike setup, that doesn't really have any cons, aside from perhaps price. Belts do need a small bit of lube for longevity, but that's about it.