4 ms·

Beautiful bike, but very disappointed to see a standard drivetrain. For a commuter I'm only interested in one with a belt drive and internal gearing. I'm not su

Beautiful bike, but very disappointed to see a standard drivetrain. For a commuter I'm only interested in one with a belt drive and internal gearing. I'm not sure why these drivetrains are not becoming more common, especially for commuters.

CamperBob2 6y ago
Two things I've learned never to criticize on HN: derailleurs and rail transit. Fair warning...
- cpsempek 6y ago
  Haha wasn't aware of this, but making note now.
reportingsjr 6y ago
Belt drives can be nice, but the reason they aren't as common is because they are incredibly expensive, unless you're getting a single speed which many, many people aren't going to want. I don't know if part of the reason they are so expensive is because they are a niche bike item, and bike stuff is already hideously overpriced, or if there is another reason.
- cpsempek 6y ago
  Fair point, but this isn't a cheap bike, so maybe at least make the option available? I also am not certain on the exact reasons why internal gear hubs and belt drives are more expensive. I imagine manufacturing those hubs are more costly just by the nature of their design. It also used to be the case that you needed a specific frame built for a belt drive to run one, but they make breakable belts now so that's no longer a huge restriction. I have heard in Europe where bike commuting is far more common in the US where I'm living that belt drive and internal gearing are more common, but this was hearsay.
  - ogre_codes 6y ago
    Internal gearing is generally a lot heavier as well as being more expensive. Looking at the priorities on this build, I suspect that was as important as price.
- fulafel 6y ago
  They are not expensive, lots of sub €500 city bikes have them them.
  - fulafel 6y ago
    Never mind, thought we were talking about internal gear hubs.
DenisM 6y ago
Geared hubs could be quite heavy, certainly so for large number of gears. OTOH with an electric motor you might not need gearing at all - the motor will help you in a difficult situation: https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/28/21344679/gogoro-eeyo-1s-e-bike-review-score-price-date https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/28/21344679/gogoro-eeyo-1s-e...

CamperBob2 6y ago

Two things I've learned never to criticize on HN: derailleurs and rail transit. Fair warning...

cpsempek 6y ago
Haha wasn't aware of this, but making note now.

reportingsjr 6y ago

Belt drives can be nice, but the reason they aren't as common is because they are incredibly expensive, unless you're getting a single speed which many, many people aren't going to want. I don't know if part of the reason they are so expensive is because they are a niche bike item, and bike stuff is already hideously overpriced, or if there is another reason.

cpsempek 6y ago
Fair point, but this isn't a cheap bike, so maybe at least make the option available? I also am not certain on the exact reasons why internal gear hubs and belt drives are more expensive. I imagine manufacturing those hubs are more costly just by the nature of their design. It also used to be the case that you needed a specific frame built for a belt drive to run one, but they make breakable belts now so that's no longer a huge restriction. I have heard in Europe where bike commuting is far more common in the US where I'm living that belt drive and internal gearing are more common, but this was hearsay.
- ogre_codes 6y ago
  Internal gearing is generally a lot heavier as well as being more expensive. Looking at the priorities on this build, I suspect that was as important as price.
fulafel 6y ago
They are not expensive, lots of sub €500 city bikes have them them.
- fulafel 6y ago
  Never mind, thought we were talking about internal gear hubs.

DenisM 6y ago

Geared hubs could be quite heavy, certainly so for large number of gears. OTOH with an electric motor you might not need gearing at all - the motor will help you in a difficult situation: https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/28/21344679/gogoro-eeyo-1s-e-bike-review-score-price-date https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/28/21344679/gogoro-eeyo-1s-e...