Hacker News Reader

The advantage here is that the chain could be made backwards-compatible with existing conventional drivetrains. The Gates drive can't be retrofitted onto older frames.

View on HN

Why can't it be? My bike is a fixed gear track frame. If the threads of the sprockets are compatible with the rear wheel, then it should be able to fit.

The belt is a closed loop and under high tension when installed. Your frame needs to be able to be opened to let the belt in, then your sprocket pack needs to be able to move backwards, so you can put tension on it.

> then your sprocket pack needs to be able to move backwards, so you can put tension on it

I am assuming that's what the poster meant by putting emphasis on his frame being a fixed gear one. Those normally have horizontal dropouts to put tension in the chain.

Thanks, I had no idea!

But they don’t have split frames so there is no way to install the belt in the first place.

Unlike a chain the belt is a closed loop, you can only use it with a frame that can be opened in the rear triangle.

There is however a belt drive systm with a split belt. Seems to be quite new and expensive and propably come switch its own upsides and downsides.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com