new cycle

[tenchman]

new here so be gentle looking for a new cycle for here in the Philippines ?I require a belt drive cycle for the bad roads here mainly sand /gravel/ashfelt/cement or just footpaths recommendations please realy want a 29 inch wheel with as wide tyre as poss 51 cm frame aluminum or carbon

[Danneaux]

Hello Tenchman, and welcome to the Thorn Cycling Forum!

I suggest you download and read the Thorn model brochures available here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/models.html

In these brochures Thorn's designer, Andy Blance, carefully explains Thorn's preferences and design philosophy, which seems to be the opposite of what you are seeking -- steel frames, 26in/700C wheels and a choice of chain-driven derailleur or Rohloff drivetrains.

You said you...

...require a belt drive cycle for the bad roads here mainly sand /gravel/ashfelt/cement or just footpaths recommendations please realy want a 29 inch wheel with as wide tyre as poss 51 cm frame aluminum or carbon

Why not take a look at Thorn, read about the reasoning behind their design, and see if what is offered might meet your needs?

Perhaps one of Thorn's Rohloff-equipped models, equipped with a Hebie Chainglider to protect the chain from sand and the elements would work as well or better than what you are seeking. Well worth a look!

Best,

Dan.

[Barry Webber]

Hello tenchman,

As Danneaux intimated Thorn do not promote Belt drives and seem to be against them at the moment.
Rose bikes in Germany have some Gates Belt drive bikes on the following link:-

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/products/bikes/travel-trekking--city-bikes/travel-bikes/activa-pro-carbon-drive/

The more expensive option has the Rohloff gears and the cheaper option the Shimano Alfine 11 gears.

Hope this is useful, don't know if they export to the Philippines though.

Cheers,
Barry.

[in4]

From time to time I have mused over the possibilites of a belt drive. I know that another Leeds company make a belt drive with rohloff and Sarah Outen cycled from Uk to Japan -ish on a belt drive bike. I imagine that the folks at Thorn Central have some sound reasons as to why they do not offer a belt drive; perhaps something to do with frame integrity or longevity of belt drives and associated parts. I simply do not know. Given the wild and wonderful places riders take their Thorns I suspect that the reliability factor is high on the list of considerations. All that said, it seems to work for some, Harley Davidson included.

[Andre Jute]

Given the wild and wonderful places riders take their Thorns I suspect that the reliability factor is high on the list of considerations. All that said, it seems to work for some, Harley Davidson included.

I think you have it. A motorbike can be built with a rear swing arm on the non-belt-drive side only, or the rear triangle can be made of tubes as heavy as necessary because the motive power is a motor, but a pedal bike's rear triangle has to be broken to get the belt in, so compromising the integrity/weight/comfort of the frame.

[energyman]

I have two belt drives and one chain RST.
Six of one and half a dozen of the other as they say.
Cleaning is a doddle on the belts though, just a watering can and an old dish brush !

[honesty]

Have a look at a Shand Stoater. They do a rohloff with gates belt drive. Not cheap mind.