You are planning to start leasing a bike, but are still looking for the right model. You go through our products page and see a bike with a belt drive (or "belt"). What does that mean? And what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Belt drive: the definition
lt drive is a drive where the chain is replaced by a plastic belt. The belt runs over two gears and is made of a strong, stretch-free carbon fiber. Belt drives are manufactured by Gates, an American company that has made a name for itself in the automotive and motorcycle industry.
The advantages of belt drive
If you choose a (lease) bike with belt drive or "belt," there are many advantages:
- Minder lawaai: een kunststofriem rijdt veel stiller.
- Properder: geen olie nodig: de riem gaat niet roesten en heeft geen kettingkast nodig.
- Duurzaam: bestand tegen stof, water, sneeuw en ijs. Een riem gaat gemiddeld 4 keer langer mee dan een ketting.
- Gewicht: het weegt minder dan een ketting. Gemiddeld weegt een riem 75 gram. Een fietsketting kan tot 250 gram wegen.
- Gebruiksvriendelijk: Er zit minder rek op een riem dan op een ketting, waardoor je heel wat problemen gaat voorkomen. Zoals bijvoorbeeld het doortrappen van je ketting.
- Less noise: a plastic belt rides much quieter.
- Cleaner: with belt drive there's no oil needed. The belt will not rust and does not need a chain case.
- Durable: resistant to dust, water, snow and ice. On average, a belt lasts 4 times longer than a chain.
- Weight: it weighs less than a chain. On average, a belt weighs 75 grams. A bicycle chain can weigh up to 250 grams.
- User-friendly: There is less stretch on a belt than on a chain, so you're going to avoid a lot of problems. Like pedaling your chain through, for example.
The disadvantages of a belt drive
There are also some disadvantages if you choose a bike with belt drive:
- The cost: a belt is more expensive than a chain.
- It requires a specific frame: the belt is in one piece, which means that there must be an opening in the frame to replace the belt.
- Limited number of gears: no lateral play is possible. This ensures that a belt cannot be combined with derailleur gears.
- A belt that breaks cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
Bikes with belt drive at Joule
The belt is an innovation within the cycling world. Although the majority of bikes today are still equipped with a chain drive, the belt drive is on the rise. View our range of bikes with belt drive here.
