Mmm tasty new Avanti

[Comedian]

Carbon for commuting? Cracked rear stay due to pannier weight.

You know... one day real soon you're going to have get used to trusting carbon fibre. Qantas has 50 of those suckers on order.

[CommuRider]

Carbon for commuting? Cracked rear stay due to pannier weight.

You know... one day real soon you're going to have get used to trusting carbon fibre. Qantas has 50 of those suckers on order.

I don't mind carbon for a roadie but not for my commuting.

I see it as the difference between having a Clydesdale



and a thoroughbred.



Yee-ha!

[Trepidious]

It's still heaps lower than the life expectancy of my car belt though. I changed it at I think around 100K km so I wonder why he needed to change his belt drive - whether it had loosened or because of foreign objects from unsealed terrains.

Might be more apt to compare them to belt-driven motorbikes than fan belts. As an idea the '03 Buell XB9R gives a replacement interval of 24000km for the belt, roughly the same as most chain-driven sports bikes.

[find_bruce]

Might be more apt to compare them to belt-driven motorbikes than fan belts. As an idea the '03 Buell XB9R gives a replacement interval of 24000km for the belt, roughly the same as most chain-driven sports bikes.

& yet my old 250cc Kawasaki gave 50,000 km of faultless service before needing replacement. An interesting design feature was that instead of the drive sprocket being bolted to the wheel, there was a rubber donut that compressed slightly when power was applied. While this slightly reduced performance, it greatly increased the durability of the belt.

I suspect this is the real answer, in that the manufacturer / designer makes a trade off between reliability / durability and other factors such as weight, performance and cost.

Oh & in relation to valve timing in cars, one of the main reasons for belts is that they do not stretch and so maintain much better timing over their life. They would probably last well past 100,000 km, but the consequences of a belt braking are so catastrophic that they are scheduled for replacement well before that is a possibility. None of these factors are an issue on a bike.

Oh and CommuRider, clarks make a nice PTFE coated chain, available in pink or green as well as more boring colours of black, blue, red and white. No doubt it's the wrong shade of pink or green though

[CommuRider]

Have seen some coloured chains on some blinged up fixies. Saw one with goldchain. If coloured belt drives take off, I wonder if they can be easily interchanged as watches...handlebar grips, drive, saddle....different colour for different moods. The bike accessorised as an accessory.

[Biffidus]

Might be more apt to compare them to belt-driven motorbikes than fan belts. As an idea the '03 Buell XB9R gives a replacement interval of 24000km for the belt, roughly the same as most chain-driven sports bikes.

Later models had much better belt life (and according to this site they had lifetime warranties) but even at 24,000km it is much better than you will get from a poorly maintained chain. I wish more motorbikes had them!

I've been watching the Gates Carbon Drive with some interest and this bike has everything I want in a commuter and then some. I want one.

[Trepidious]

Might be more apt to compare them to belt-driven motorbikes than fan belts. As an idea the '03 Buell XB9R gives a replacement interval of 24000km for the belt, roughly the same as most chain-driven sports bikes.

Later models had much better belt life (and according to this site they had lifetime warranties) but even at 24,000km it is much better than you will get from a poorly maintained chain. I wish more motorbikes had them!

Well given the lifetime of Buell, I guess most of the belts did survive the company's lifetime (if you'll excuse the dark humour, I thought the brand and company had a lot going for it). Reckon I'm due for a new commuter soon, I'm still keen on one of these bikes.

[Biffidus]

I'm definitely due. I haven't bought myself a new bike since 1997!

[the grid]

Rode this sucker today.
$1295
Not a sexy as the OP

http://www.avantibikes.com/fitness/blade-8-c-belt-drive.aspx?bid=267

[Biffidus]

How did you find it, the grid?

[Biffidus]

Just spoke to my local bike shop. They pre-sold their first batch and aren't expecting new stock until April.



Anyone know where I can buy one?

[landscapecadmonkey]

Rode this sucker today.
$1295
Not a sexy as the OP

http://www.avantibikes.com/fitness/blade-8-c-belt-drive.aspx?bid=267

sub $1K making them a little sexier....maybe ??
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicycles/avanti/flat-bar-road/blade-8-c-belt-drive/brisbane-fortitude-valley/qld/100177976

[Biffidus]

If there are any of these for sale in SA I can't find them. Guess I know what I'm not getting for Christmas.

[landscapecadmonkey]

If there are any of these for sale in SA I can't find them. Guess I know what I'm not getting for Christmas.

not sure what taking pre orders means, but you might be in with a chance before xmas for a good price... maybe. . Its SA ...
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicycles ... /100102455

[Crawf]

For what it's worth, my custom Ti belt drive frame is up for grabs in the for sale section.

[CycleSnail]

I am looking at getting an INC 3 - living at the end of the universe (Perth) I probably have to order it without getting a ride first. Has anybody ridden any of the Avanti Inc range of bikes?

[Biffidus]

I'm hoping to in the next month or so when they arrive here in SA.

All the LBS folks I've spoken to about the bike are really enthusiastic, they reckon it's a great little bike. Shame they sold the one they got - would have got them a few preorders had it been on display methinks.

[Biffidus]

So my LBS didn't get any more bikes and none of the other shops I have called could tell me when more will be available.

[the grid]

Bought an INC 3 had the guys at Jindalee find me one in Melbourne.
Very nice , I like the gearing and smooth changes.
I am a bit concerned if I puncture on the commute, I guess I'll have to learn how to take off Alfine 11 equiped wheel before that happens.
Very stealth with the reflectors and belt guard removed.

[Comedian]

Bought an INC 3 had the guys at Jindalee find me one in Melbourne.
Very nice , I like the gearing and smooth changes.
I am a bit concerned if I puncture on the commute, I guess I'll have to learn how to take off Alfine 11 equiped wheel before that happens.
Very stealth with the reflectors and belt guard removed.

It's easy peasy as long as you bring a wheel nut spanner! If not it's probably still possible to patch the flat but the degree of difficulty goes up!

[the grid]

Thanks S
I need to disconnect the cable? Thats my concern.

[Comedian]

Thanks S
I need to disconnect the cable? Thats my concern.

All you do is select a middle gear, push the spring back on the hub and pop the connector out (as it's not under pressure). Then, go about your business and fix the flat.

When you've got it all back in place slide the selector spring back again and pop the connector in. It's **really** simple when you know how to do it. Don't worry about it, and when you get the bike get the shop to show you or I will if we meet up sometime.

I actually think it's slightly easier than a normal bike!

[the grid]

Is it ok if I call you from out on the road with my first flat?
Thanks for the great advice

[Biffidus]

I've had mine for a week now. I love how quiet and smooth it is.

From previous experience I expect the Sports Contacts to last me about 6 months before they start getting punctures from the glass and thorns along my route. I've ordered a set of 700x32 Vittoria Randonneurs to replace them and will fit some decent mudguards once they are fitted. Can you get lightweight spanners for the puncture repair kit?

[jasonc]

Can you get lightweight spanners for the puncture repair kit?

yeh. comes for free with the lightweight water