Belt-drive hybrid/Urban Cross bike
Discussion
Hi All,
I am going to sell my Brompton ‘Barcelona’ Edition in March/April once my C2W scheme payment commitments have ended and since I already have a folding bike I won’t really need the Brompton (I only bought it to take advantage of the tax benefits you get of using the Cycle to Work scheme, plus the resale prices on Bromptons are really good).
I am quite liking the idea of an Alfine belt-drive hybrid. I know Hybrids don’t get the best street cred but I looking for something decent that I can use to whip around the villages in my area of Hertfordshire.
I have come across a BMC AC01 (awesome) and a bike from Milk bikes (which doesn’t blow my hair back) but would appreciate some other views. I believe Genesis may be making a Day One Alfine with belt drive but it’s just a rumour, because that would be my ideal choice.
If anyone can let me know of any other bikes that would fit this requirement it would be appreciated. I am looking for a bike with a good name, spec so don’t mind paying £800 +
Many thanks
I am going to sell my Brompton ‘Barcelona’ Edition in March/April once my C2W scheme payment commitments have ended and since I already have a folding bike I won’t really need the Brompton (I only bought it to take advantage of the tax benefits you get of using the Cycle to Work scheme, plus the resale prices on Bromptons are really good).
I am quite liking the idea of an Alfine belt-drive hybrid. I know Hybrids don’t get the best street cred but I looking for something decent that I can use to whip around the villages in my area of Hertfordshire.
I have come across a BMC AC01 (awesome) and a bike from Milk bikes (which doesn’t blow my hair back) but would appreciate some other views. I believe Genesis may be making a Day One Alfine with belt drive but it’s just a rumour, because that would be my ideal choice.
If anyone can let me know of any other bikes that would fit this requirement it would be appreciated. I am looking for a bike with a good name, spec so don’t mind paying £800 +
Many thanks
Avenue make odd but IMHO lovely looking bikes. They do some Alfine bikes but I don't think they do belt drive annoyingly
I’ve heard and read good and bad things about belt drive. The main pro seems to be eliminating the mess and maintenance of a chain. The cons are that it adds an extra layer of complexity to removing the rear wheel. I’d imagine that with hub gears essentially being the same as a singlespeed single gear, single chainring type set up maintenance of a conventional chain wouldn’t end up being that bad. Belt drive can also have the same problems with alignment and noise as a normal chain by the sound of it.
I’ve heard and read good and bad things about belt drive. The main pro seems to be eliminating the mess and maintenance of a chain. The cons are that it adds an extra layer of complexity to removing the rear wheel. I’d imagine that with hub gears essentially being the same as a singlespeed single gear, single chainring type set up maintenance of a conventional chain wouldn’t end up being that bad. Belt drive can also have the same problems with alignment and noise as a normal chain by the sound of it.
I've just got myself one of these:
Schindelhauer Ludwig 8
Alfine 8, belt drive and gorgeous.
No issues with noise whatsover, the thing is silent, thats one of the reasons I wanted it, no mess, no hassle, taking the wheel off is fine once you've done it a few times, no harder than a chain/sprocket affair... the negatives? Alfine 8 is a bit weighty.... but I wanted abike I didn't need lycra or off road clobber for, just jump on and enjoy a ride...my bike may well get hung on the wall though, it's just beautiful..
That Avenue thing looks nice, never saw that in my search.
Also check out Spot Brand Ajax.
Schindelhauer Ludwig 8
Alfine 8, belt drive and gorgeous.
No issues with noise whatsover, the thing is silent, thats one of the reasons I wanted it, no mess, no hassle, taking the wheel off is fine once you've done it a few times, no harder than a chain/sprocket affair... the negatives? Alfine 8 is a bit weighty.... but I wanted abike I didn't need lycra or off road clobber for, just jump on and enjoy a ride...my bike may well get hung on the wall though, it's just beautiful..
That Avenue thing looks nice, never saw that in my search.
Also check out Spot Brand Ajax.
Edited by Agoogy on Tuesday 7th January 12:52
Agoogy said:
I've just got myself one of these:
Schindelhauer Ludwig 8
Alfine 8, belt drive and gorgeous.
No issues with noise whatsover, the thing is silent, thats one of the reasons I wanted it, no mess, no hassle, taking the wheel off is fine once you've done it a few times, no harder than a chain/sprocket affair... the negatives? Alfine 8 is a bit weighty.... but I wanted abike I didn't need lycra or off road clobber for, just jump on and enjoy a ride...my bike may well get hung on the wall though, it's just beautiful..
That Avenue thing looks nice, never saw that in my search.
Also check out Spot Brand Ajax.
That's stunning. >dribble<Schindelhauer Ludwig 8
Alfine 8, belt drive and gorgeous.
No issues with noise whatsover, the thing is silent, thats one of the reasons I wanted it, no mess, no hassle, taking the wheel off is fine once you've done it a few times, no harder than a chain/sprocket affair... the negatives? Alfine 8 is a bit weighty.... but I wanted abike I didn't need lycra or off road clobber for, just jump on and enjoy a ride...my bike may well get hung on the wall though, it's just beautiful..
That Avenue thing looks nice, never saw that in my search.
Also check out Spot Brand Ajax.
Edited by Agoogy on Tuesday 7th January 12:52
They still need a break in the frame. This was a negative for me, all the talk of proper belt tensioning, wheel alignment, taking wheels off, detaching the gear cable...
In reality, the wheel locates and tensions itself and undoing Alfine is 2mm allen key only affair. Perhaps not super quick like a QR standard drive wheel, but it's certainly no biggy, and worth it for me to be different, to be silent and to be stress/mess free.
Of the 8 gears, I have managed the worst that Marlow can throw at me, it's certainly no KOM though
gear no.1 is akin to perhaps 3/4 on your 27 speed road bike.
Gear 8 however will get you going atleast as quick 27 will...
Gear 4/5 are sublime for just pottering which is where the sweetspot is....for me...
Carbon Belt Drive is now VERY well proven winning offroad races, Cyclocross etc, http://blog.carbondrivesystems.com/ ...it's really coming its own. With Alfine Di2 and/or pinion gearboxes a perfect urban machine is very nearly upon us.
I've just remembered another negative, although this may have something to do with running in as I've only done about 50 miles on mine, but back pedaling 'feels' rough/noisy. I've google'd it and it seems to be a well discussed thing... but as long as your pedaling it doesn't cause issue...I'm hoping after some more miles it 'loosens' up a bit and shuts up.
Oh and the Brooks saddle takes some breaking in too...
I went for 'Pure Aluminium' finish (as in the photo) you clean it with a brillo pad?! Just love staring at it though presently...it's like a 'steam-punk' bike, straight formt he 1920's with 21st century tech
Got mine from Velorution who were happy to do a C2W deal with some top up cash. Delivered to my door very quickly. Great personal service I found.
In reality, the wheel locates and tensions itself and undoing Alfine is 2mm allen key only affair. Perhaps not super quick like a QR standard drive wheel, but it's certainly no biggy, and worth it for me to be different, to be silent and to be stress/mess free.
Of the 8 gears, I have managed the worst that Marlow can throw at me, it's certainly no KOM though
gear no.1 is akin to perhaps 3/4 on your 27 speed road bike.Gear 8 however will get you going atleast as quick 27 will...
Gear 4/5 are sublime for just pottering which is where the sweetspot is....for me...
Carbon Belt Drive is now VERY well proven winning offroad races, Cyclocross etc, http://blog.carbondrivesystems.com/ ...it's really coming its own. With Alfine Di2 and/or pinion gearboxes a perfect urban machine is very nearly upon us.
I've just remembered another negative, although this may have something to do with running in as I've only done about 50 miles on mine, but back pedaling 'feels' rough/noisy. I've google'd it and it seems to be a well discussed thing... but as long as your pedaling it doesn't cause issue...I'm hoping after some more miles it 'loosens' up a bit and shuts up.
Oh and the Brooks saddle takes some breaking in too...
I went for 'Pure Aluminium' finish (as in the photo) you clean it with a brillo pad?! Just love staring at it though presently...it's like a 'steam-punk' bike, straight formt he 1920's with 21st century tech
Got mine from Velorution who were happy to do a C2W deal with some top up cash. Delivered to my door very quickly. Great personal service I found.
Edited by Agoogy on Tuesday 7th January 15:22
My first choice was cream.... there were only 2 or 3 bikes in my size in the country at the time... so in the end I had no choice... in hindsight I really don't care, in naked Aluminium it reminds me also of a 1950's F1 car.... Auto Union or Mercedes
Very limited supply.
..and that suits me too
Very limited supply.
..and that suits me too
RealSquirrels said:
auto unions were 1930s machines
ps nice bike
Being as how this is PistonHeads, a gratuitous shot of the Auto Union (from a slightly different angle) from this year's Goodwood FoS...ps nice bike
I was stood talking to some of the team whilst they were running it up and warming up the fluids prior to it's run up the hill. Hearing it run through the gears whilst static on a paddock jack was good fun. That's the wonderful thing about Goodwood - seeing, feeling, hearing (and breathing) motorsport from every era.
Back on topic. I'm no fan of single speed bikes, nor belt drives, but the more I see, the more I'm coming around to the idea. I particularly like that "Schindelhauer Ludwig 8" in it's Aluminium finish. Nice.
The Scott Sub 10 is an awesome commuting bike that's reasonably priced. Been using a 2010 version for a while.
Ticks all the boxes for a low maintenance all weather bike. Belt drive, shimano hydraulic brakes and alfine hub gear, also comes with decent tyres (continental sport contacts), dedicated mudguards and bike rack optional.
Ticks all the boxes for a low maintenance all weather bike. Belt drive, shimano hydraulic brakes and alfine hub gear, also comes with decent tyres (continental sport contacts), dedicated mudguards and bike rack optional.
untakenname said:
The Scott Sub 10 is an awesome commuting bike that's reasonably priced. Been using a 2010 version for a while.
Ticks all the boxes for a low maintenance all weather bike. Belt drive, shimano hydraulic brakes and alfine hub gear, also comes with decent tyres (continental sport contacts), dedicated mudguards and bike rack optional.
Hi all. What's the current consensus on this bike? I've read that it's not as light as it should be for a bike of that price and that the highest gear runs out at too low a speed (~25mph?). As I regularly go down big hills on my cheapy Carrera Gryphon and hit speeds up to 37mph this puts me off.Ticks all the boxes for a low maintenance all weather bike. Belt drive, shimano hydraulic brakes and alfine hub gear, also comes with decent tyres (continental sport contacts), dedicated mudguards and bike rack optional.
gazza285 said:
One of my quick mates has ditched the belt drive on his single speed 29er after being stranded in the Yorkshire Dales when the belt snapped. He's had problems with shedding the belt as well, but the 6 mile walk back to his van convinced him to return to a chain drive.
I guess you could carry a spare belt. Not ideal though. There's a good thread on STW at the momenthttp://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/belt-drive...
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