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New bike chain claims to be faster, more durable

cyclingtips.com

71–80 of 226 posts

Re: New bike chain claims to be faster, more durable

#71
post #14

How does it compare with the rohloff system? Anyways it seems to be significantly more expensive thus I don't think it will become widespread.

This is a chain system, to transfer power from the bottom bracket to the wheel. AFAIK, Rohloff is gear system built inside a wheel hub. How would one compare those?

You are right. Perhaps he meant if it can be used with the Rohloff system or not.

It can be used with the Rohloff system. But, I think you need a compatible chain ring since they are talking about a new tooth design requirements. The Rohloff system has the chain ring attached to the hub gear. So you presumably have to change that chain ring yourself.

Re: New bike chain claims to be faster, more durable

#72
post #11

I really don't get it: what power are they claiming to be transferring on the side of the tooth that isn't engaging with a roller chain? Also note that this is only for track bikes with a perfectly straight chainline (technically speaking it would also work for internal gear hubs wish are increasingly driven by belts in the upper price range). The shifting chain that is deployed diagonally more often than straight is…

Elementary: one roller pushes the tooth, the other one pulls.

Re: New bike chain claims to be faster, more durable

#73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live in the Netherlands and have traveled Europe very extensively and I have never seen one single belt driven bike... I have a feeling that it'll be a long time before Europe widely adopts them :) Does look very cool, though.

"Largely adopted" also avid cyclist both in the city and in the countryside, and I don't recall seeing one of these ever

[deleted]

Re: New bike chain claims to be faster, more durable

#74
post #9

Great chain, but the Gates Carbon Drive is likely a superior technology. Europe has largely adopted it, but it is rare in the states. I have a Riese & Müller bike with a Gates Carbon Drive and it is absolutely lovely. Silent, but best of all, no grease on my pants or hands, ever. They handle dirt and dust super well (just dry off and wipe down with a cloth/no gears get jammed with a sealed planetary gear system). It…

I live in the Netherlands and have traveled Europe very extensively and I have never seen one single belt driven bike... I have a feeling that it'll be a long time before Europe widely adopts them :) Does look very cool, though.

Oh, but you can see those from time to time Belgium. Largely adopted? No, not at all.

Re: New bike chain claims to be faster, more durable

#75
post #9

Great chain, but the Gates Carbon Drive is likely a superior technology. Europe has largely adopted it, but it is rare in the states. I have a Riese & Müller bike with a Gates Carbon Drive and it is absolutely lovely. Silent, but best of all, no grease on my pants or hands, ever. They handle dirt and dust super well (just dry off and wipe down with a cloth/no gears get jammed with a sealed planetary gear system). It…

not as efficient though

Re: New bike chain claims to be faster, more durable

#76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live in the Netherlands and have traveled Europe very extensively and I have never seen one single belt driven bike... I have a feeling that it'll be a long time before Europe widely adopts them :) Does look very cool, though.

"Largely adopted" also avid cyclist both in the city and in the countryside, and I don't recall seeing one of these ever

I've seen many, but only in shops. On the road they just don't look that much different, they are the kind of bicycle that doesn't draw any attention and you surely won't see any parked because they are way out of street parking price range anyways (particularly in the Netherlands were most bikes don't even cost as much as the belt itself because returning home on foot isn't much fun)

Re: New bike chain claims to be faster, more durable

#77
post #9

Great chain, but the Gates Carbon Drive is likely a superior technology. Europe has largely adopted it, but it is rare in the states. I have a Riese & Müller bike with a Gates Carbon Drive and it is absolutely lovely. Silent, but best of all, no grease on my pants or hands, ever. They handle dirt and dust super well (just dry off and wipe down with a cloth/no gears get jammed with a sealed planetary gear system). It…

I live in the Netherlands and have traveled Europe very extensively and I have never seen one single belt driven bike... I have a feeling that it'll be a long time before Europe widely adopts them :) Does look very cool, though.

+1. I've owned one in Europe for 11 years, and during that time never met anyone else who had one and very rarely even anyone who had heard of them.

But a Rohloff + a carbon fibre belt is an absolutely dreamy combination for anybody who prioritizies reliability. I'd buy a new one in a heartbeat if my current bike got stolen.

Re: New bike chain claims to be faster, more durable

#79
post #72
post #11

I really don't get it: what power are they claiming to be transferring on the side of the tooth that isn't engaging with a roller chain? Also note that this is only for track bikes with a perfectly straight chainline (technically speaking it would also work for internal gear hubs wish are increasingly driven by belts in the upper price range). The shifting chain that is deployed diagonally more often than straight is…

Elementary: one roller pushes the tooth, the other one pulls.

How would a roller pull? Magnetism? Suction? Capturing the tooth in engaging conversation?

Re: New bike chain claims to be faster, more durable

#80
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Internal hubs are amazing and so great to use, until you get a puncture. It’s such a nightmare and I went through so many of those dumb proprietary nuts that strip so easily. Bikes like the Cannondale Bad Boy have got me thinking, what if the single fork was at the rear? Then you could have an internal hub and change the tube without the extra suffering. Yes, the loading at the read would be significantly greater, bu…

I don't think internal hubs are amazing :) Derailer systems only absord energy in the chain and bearings, and a well maintained system can maybe lose 1.5% of energy. Internal hub gearing can lose around 15% energy. The shop keeper won't tell you this, he just wants to sell you a bike. If he starts talking difficult things, buyers might just go to the next shop to buy what they had already chosen.

I got it for free as a hand-me-down so I do think I can be fairly objective about it. I’m surprised to hear the energy loss is that high. It was paired with fast tires and that bike could move quickly. The downsides of having to adjust and maintain the wheel position were not a worthwhile trade off though, but it was so close.
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