You Should Belt Up

I love tracklocross as the bikes are simple and they don’t need a lot maintenance. Back when I worked in bike shops, I was always telling commuters to buy the hybrid with a belt drive, the weather sucks in Scotland. For some reason I never thought about one on a tracklocross bike, thankfully Scolarian aren’t me.

They took their Zanskar frame

added a coupler

and a split

and then a belt.

Now you have a bike that needs even less maintenance, perfect for the procrastinating tracklocrosser.

What though is belt drive?

A belt drive on a bicycle replaces the traditional metal chain with a carbon-fibre-reinforced polyurethane belt, and it offers a fascinating array of advantages — both practical and philosophical, for riders who value smoothness, minimalism, and low maintenance.

Low Maintenance

One of the defining benefits of a belt drive is that it requires virtually no maintenance compared to a chain.

• No lubrication: Belts don’t need oil, grease, or wax. They run dry and clean.
• No cleaning regime: Since there’s no oily residue, dirt and dust don’t cling as aggressively as they do to a chain. A quick rinse or wipe is enough to keep it in good condition.
• Longevity: Belts typically last two to three times longer than a chain.

Durability and Strength

Carbon-fibre reinforcement gives the belt exceptional tensile strength, stronger than most steel chains of equivalent weight. This means the belts don’t stretch over time; they maintain consistent tension and consistent ride feel. This stucture also makes them impervious to rust, corrosion, and weathering, making them ideal for wet climates or coastal environments.

No Oil, No Pollution

A belt drive produces no oily runoff, making it far more environmentally benign.

• Chain lubes often contain petroleum-based solvents that wash off in rain, polluting waterways.
• Belt drives can be cleaned with plain water, reducing chemical use.

There is probably other advantages but this is all my brain can think of at the moment.