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Say Goodbye To Greasy Chains, Ride A Belt Drive

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Dec 9, 2008 9:27 pm US/Mountain

Say Goodbye To Greasy Chains, Ride A Belt Drive

Written by Paul Day

Reporting
Paul Day

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: One of Trek's new bikes uses a belt drive system.
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Trek Bikes

Denver area cycling enthusiasts are already placing orders for the first mass-produced, chainless bike.

"I think it's going to be a hit," said David Wert, owner of the Trek Bicycle Store in Boulder.

The grey-bodied, orange-wheeled bike on display in Wert's store is one of only two such bikes in the whole country right now.

Built by Wisconsin-based Trek, the bike features a carbon fiber belt instead of a chain.

"I think the nice thing is this simple, strong design that doesn't really require a lot of maintenance," Wert said.

Conventional bike chains are just the opposite. They must be kept lubricated and as a result are constantly attracting dirt.

A chain "requires a lot of cleaning," said bike mechanic Matt Vendetti.

Plus chains have thousands of moving parts where things can go wrong.

But the new belt drive system eliminates the hassles. Made with carbon fiber, it's simpler and stronger and lasts up to three times as long as a chain, according to Trek. The belt drive doesn't stretch, won't slip and is whisper quiet. And unlike a chain, it won't grease up the rider's socks because it never needs lubricant.

As he peddled the demo model through a Boulder neighborhood this week, Wert said it was "responsive" with a "nice stiff feel."

Trek hopes customers who may have shied away from cycle-commuting because of the headache of chain maintenance will be tempted to park their cars and give the belt drive a try.

The system will be available at dealers in March. It comes in two models: the single-speed District ($930) and the 8-speed Soho ($990).

"I think we could see it replace a lot of the commuter and low-end bikes in the next three to five years," Wert said.

Minimal maintenance is supposed to drive down the cost of ownership

Wert says he's already begun taking orders from customers interested in buying Trek's chainless bike.

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