BELT DRIVE on bicycles - Pros and Cons

Bikes I covered in this video:

The gear I use to make my videos:

Here are some of the products I use:

The parts that I use for building batteries:

***Question response book giveaway rules***
When you guys asks questions in the comments of my videos, I'll try to answer them. If there are questions that I think would make a good video response, I'll choose them to do a longer segment. If I choose your question for a video response, you'll win a copy of my book The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide (the paperback or the ebook), or my book DIY Lithium Batteries.

Outro Music: BenSounds
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:14 Advantages of belt drives
3:51 Disadvantages of belt drives
6:42 Giveaway winner

[jindrichstercl]

This video is the definition of clean. Title actually says what is in the video, there is 12 second intro and then straight to the facts, great explanations, nice setting, friendly host, quick giveaway at the end. Perfect.

[jeffloewi]

Came back to re-watch and I remain very impressed with the thoroughness and brevity of your explanation. If you have any interest in making videos for the ebikes we carry please let me know.

[KL]

I've had a belt driven bike for four years and last years I also bought an ebike with one too. I love it! Best thing about the belt drive is that it does not stretch and I don't have to tension a chain once or twice a month. Also the cleanliness is great when I wash my bike inside the apartment bathroom! And btw when the bike has a sliding dropout where you can drop the wheel down and out you'll never have to tension the belt again! Unless some bolts get loose or you want to change the gear ratio.

[JohnEich]

It's great to see this tech expand in ebikes, and I'm looking forward to seeing innovation happen for aspects like installing them.

[johndoyle]

Thanks good presentation, it is amazing that the derailleur set up is still the most efficient after all these years.
Yes I like minimum maintenance, but dislike the cost, but, I have broken chains whilst out in the middle of nowhere, and repaired in situ, difficult with a belt, however failure unlikely.

[gerryobrien]

I am surprised that more manufacturers aren't already using belts. I am going belt drive with my next bike. I am going to wait till they bring the prices down, should not be any more expensive to make if they can get the numbers up.

[fenestra]

Very nicely done video. Good introduction of the topic. Goes straight to the facts. Presents pros and cons. Concise information. Friendly setting.

[jadamsnz]

One downside of chains not mentioned is that you will eventually need to change your chain ring and gear cluster as the chain wears out the teeth. Keeping the chain clean and replacing it regularly will delay that but it will eventually happen,

[basvs]

"you do not have to worry about getting oil or grease on your pants"... Laughs in Dutch chain casings!

[mythrusthelema]

Do you have any experience with the Veer split belt system? I have been seriously looking at them for my ebike. As usual very informative. Thanks.

[rantanplan]

One other disadvantage that's never talked about is if you wanna run a bike single speed without an internally geared hub and you want it to be geared for going over 20mph at a relaxed cadence, you'd need a giant chainring up front that won't fit on any regular bike get a decent ratio.

[mjac]

Thanks for the information. I'm riding a Gazelle Ultimate C380 and love the belt drive.

[laserbobk]

Just watched the pros & Cons of belt driven bikes. Thanks, as I have been looking at the Priority and considering another called the Swift from GigaByke, both pretty light compared to most others. Keep it up!.

[nuance]

Enjoying your videos, a solar and e-bike novice, always learning something.

[petersmith]

Really enjoying your channel, and thanks for the great comments, really useful.

[comedianmattrossey]

Micah, I'm really loving your channel. Your very informative and don't beat around the bush. Thank You!

[MySquire]

You are amazing
Such a great and diversified narration
Explaining the a and b, s of E bikes
I'm going to get an E bike soon and you have made it a lot easier for me to understand the E bike market
Thank you
Dennis

[kings]

Big fan of gates belt and internal gear hubs. Looking forward to the review of current bike in this video.

[roshi]

No derailleur, gears, or chain to rust during winter rides is a BIG advantage belts have for me. I'm a four-season rider in the Adirondacks and just based on maintenance differences alone the higher up front cost pays for itself.

[martintasker]

Great video from a guy who's informative,
and easy to under stand with information you can trust !
Keep up the good work !
kind regards Martin Tasker