Lot of people seem to be really fascinated by the concept of belt drive fixed gear bike. Well, f8cycles offers just that, custom single speed and fixed bikes with belt-drives:
"f8 began as a search for the ultimate fixed ride through the rough streets of San Francisco. Simplicity and durability were paramount. Designing a bullet-proof frame became an obsession.
The obsession paid off. f8 became the first to offer a belt drive fixed gear, in titanium no less. And less than you’d normally pay for a custom titanium frame.Using a belt means no lubricant. So you can ride to work wearing bleach-white bell bottoms, if your dress code allows. It also means no maintenance, as unlike a metal chain it will not stretch.
It’s also quiet. Too quiet."
Check out the site here: http://www.f8cycles.com/
Posts
4 comments:
a german bicycle manufacturer also offers belt driven fixed gear bikes, please check:
http://www.zahnriemenfahrrad.de/
i think they´re really fancy:)
Very cool, especially since I wear bleached white bell-bottoms to work!
I'm curious as to why this innovation is expressing itself in the fixed gear community before becoming standardized in the road racing industry. Is it just a trend or does it really work? I would think the amount of weight shed between belt and chain would prompt the road community to have already incorporated the change a long time ago.
Or is it because it requires a deadly accurate belt line? Chains seem to be more forgiving in that respect.
I still wanna give one a try, though. It's hard to pass judgment without actually having put it between your legs.
The reason it works so well for fixed and singlespeed is because a road racing bike--with gears--would require an internal hub. I like internal hubs myself, but road racers aren't wont to lose gears and gain grams.
Post a Comment