I got a bike with a drive belt instead of a chain. That’s going one step further to reduce the required maintenance although it’s a compromise (more expensive, more resistance). I’ll never go back to a chain for my commuter bike
edit: when it eventually wore out and broke, replacing it was relatively easy as well. No special tools required either. Not really a pro vs. a chain because replacing a chain is easy as well and chains are much cheaper, but worth mentioning for people who might think a belt is somehow more involved
What causes the greater resistance, the belt itself, or the internal-gear hub? I went with the full chain case (which also requires an IGH) several years ago, because the belt drive required a special frame. (In short, it cost too much.) Now that the split-belt systems have come around, it’s tempting again.
I don’t know what causes more resistance, but both the belt and the internal gear hub have some, speaking from experience with those hubs with regular chains. I don’t mind much because I figure the tradeoff is worth it for me, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind if efficiency / speed is more important to you
I got a bike with a drive belt instead of a chain. That’s going one step further to reduce the required maintenance although it’s a compromise (more expensive, more resistance). I’ll never go back to a chain for my commuter bike
edit: when it eventually wore out and broke, replacing it was relatively easy as well. No special tools required either. Not really a pro vs. a chain because replacing a chain is easy as well and chains are much cheaper, but worth mentioning for people who might think a belt is somehow more involved
What causes the greater resistance, the belt itself, or the internal-gear hub? I went with the full chain case (which also requires an IGH) several years ago, because the belt drive required a special frame. (In short, it cost too much.) Now that the split-belt systems have come around, it’s tempting again.
I don’t know what causes more resistance, but both the belt and the internal gear hub have some, speaking from experience with those hubs with regular chains. I don’t mind much because I figure the tradeoff is worth it for me, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind if efficiency / speed is more important to you