Cycling UK Forum

If this query should ever arise again, I'll be there with a link to this thread like greased lightning. (In the meantime, I've ben receiving reports of a Hank Marvin tribute band.... )

I have had a Trek Soho with Gates Carbon Drive for 18 months now and the belt has been fine. I did have a problem after I had the back wheel off to fix a puncture and didn't tighten up one the axle nuts properly - didn't realise it had fallen off for a while till some of the hub gears stated slipping. LBS had to re-adjust the barings. Earlier on this year I thought something had gone inside the hub gear but it turned out the splines on the aluminium rear sprocket that connect to the hub had broken. Gates suplied a stainless steel replacement FOC. So long as your LBS know how to service a CDS an annual check up is all you should need. Oh and by the way I am dead jealous, the Tout Terrain Metropolitan looks like a lovely bike I'd love to have one. So if you don't get on with I'll take it off your hands

I've had a Trek Soho DLX for over 18 months now, and apart from upgrading the hub gear to an Alfine 8spd (a wise choice in my opinion) the belt drive has worked perfectly with the bike. As long as the belt tension is checked from time to time there shouldn't be a problem. In the meantime, because I've been so impressed with the carbon drive system, I'm intending to covert my Bob Jackson World Tour bike to the same system.

GatesTech wrote: ....you can measure the sound wave the belt makes when you pluck it like a guitar string. The belt should measure 50-60 hz for your IGH hub.

for those of you who are musically inclined, this is roughly G sharp to B (G1 sharp to B1, or keys 12-15 inclusive on a piano keyboard) .

No i-phone, no musical instrument? -In the UK 'mains hum' is 50Hz. (note; Mains hum is 60Hz in some other countries)

cheers