Recently the belt drive for bicycles has become a bit of a buzz word. Touting the advantages of having less, (or as some claim, no) noise, less maintenance, and cleaner pant legs for all, the proponents of the belt drive would make it seem that the death of the chain is nigh at hand. Nothing could be further from the truth, and in fact, carbon belt drives create their own bundle of problems that proponents seem to want to gloss over.

In a recent article penned by Michael Felberbaum, the belt drive system is portrayed as a “saving grace” by Trek’s marketing wonks, not to mention the fact that Trek is laying claim to being the “first to use the technology for mass-produced bicycles.” Huh?…..Spot Brand might have something to say about that. But this isn’t about who’s first. It’s about some of the things they are not sayng about belt drive bicycles.

I will be the first to say that indeed, the belt drive should be used on commuter bicycles, and that its best use is on those types of bicycles. But let’s be totally honest here with our future bicycling converts, okay? The belt drive isn’t “all that”, and it does have its fair share of attendant difficulties to deal with should you decide to purchase one of these technological marvels.

The claim that the belt drivetrain is “whisper quiet” isn’t necessarily true. Just ask anybody at the Interbike Outdoor Demo in 2007 that rode the belt drive single speeds. The whine was apparent from several yards away as a belt drive rider approached. To be fair, Gates, the company behind the carbon belt drive technology, has refined the system since then. But noise is possible, and saying that the drivetrain is “whisper quiet” is misleading to the neophyte cyclist. The belts can also slip, (ratchet) and are breakable, again as witnessed at this years Interbike Outdoor Demo. Saying that these things are not possible is like saying a chain won’t break or slip, which we all know is quite possible.

Then there is the claim that is made that belt drive will make “getting your pants stuck an unlikely scenario” which really has nothing to do with the belt, (or chain drive) and everything to do with your chain guard, or in this case “belt guard”. I’ve ridden enough commuter miles to know that anything short of a completely encased belt, or chain, will result in “munched pants” someday. It is inevitable. Not to mention the fact that long pants can get entangled in crank arms, which if you have ever had that happen, you know it is about as bad as getting your pants in a chain. Really, a well executed use of a pants clip does the trick here. Belt drive or no.

Having also worked in the auto industry, many times with Gates products, I can happily concur that you will not get grease marks from a belt. But, there are other forms of nasty grit and grime that you can get off a belt. So,to say that you won’t get greasy pant legs or ankles from a belt drive bike isn’t necessarily a guarantee of “clean living”. Unless one is fastidious in their care of the belt, (which belt drive proponents say is easily done with standard cleaners), it still will require “maintenance” to achieve the benefit of clean pant legs and ankles. Really, it is a “wash” when compared to bicycle chain drive systems. With proper lube, a cyclist can go several hundred miles before needing to re-lube, but how often would you need to clean your belt? No one can say with authority, but I imagine the belt is going to require some attention regardless.

Then there is the biggest detriment to owning a belt drive bike of all. A thing none of the proponents ever are heard talking about. That being rear wheel removal. Look, sooner or later you are going to experience that most frightening of cycling mishaps, the flat tire. (I say this with all sincerity, since new cyclists and commuters really feel this way about the common flat tire) With the belt drive system, it really is going to be a pain in the keester.

Look at that photo above. The belt is tensioned by means of four bolts- two on each side- and the wheel is held in by two axle nuts. But wait! That’s not all my friends. You must also disconnect the Nexus hub’s shifting cable, which is an operation requiring at least three hands. (Especially for the uninitiated) Add to this the possibility of a brake torque arm and you have quite a project on your hands. I’m no timing expert, but I would surmise that a rider using a chain driven bicycle would have their wheel repaired and be long gone before the belt drive person even got their wheel out of the bicycle. This is something that needs to be addressed up front with the potential belt drive using commuter.

That and the fact that belt driven internally geared drivetrains are not as efficient as derailleur based drive trains. Interestingly, some folks seem to see the lowly chain as something needing to be replaced, since it is so old a technology. Well, I submit to you that the chain has passed the test of time for a very good reason. You know, it isn’t like nothing has been tried to replace the chain over all these years. Sometimes things are found that seem to be as good as it gets. I would say that the bicycle wheel and chain are two things that will likely never be improved upon.

Belt drive/internally geared bicycles have their place, to be sure, but let’s be honest about the whole story with them. A well informed consumer going in is likely to be a happy end user. Just glossing over the difficulties and trumpeting the benefits is not going to make belt drive bikes successful in the end.