Bicycle Times: Gates Belt Drive has Performed Flawlessly
Bicycle Times writer Justin Steiner has been commuting to work this winter on a Trek Soho with Gates Carbon Drive, and he’s pumped on the clean, quiet and low-maintenance belt and sprocket system.
“So far, the Gates Belt Drive has performed flawlessly, with no need for any maintenance—haven’t even had to tension the belt during the test period,” he writes in his online review. “Just look how clean this thing is despite being ridden through a salty, sloppy winter and a muddy spring thaw. I’d much rather spend my time riding bikes than cleaning them, so this lack of maintenance has been wonderful.”
Trek calls its 8-speed Soho an Urban Assault Vehicle. We see it as part of a growing segment of commuter bikes with Carbon Drive. No more lube, no more greasy pants and less time doing maintenance means it’s easier than ever to stop commuting by car and start riding to work instead.
Check out the full review here. And sign up for a subscription to Bicycle Times magazine, a must-read for anyone interested in practical transportation bikes and cycling advocacy. The full review is scheduled to appear in print in Bicycle Time #6.
