Chains are STILL better than Belts for Bicycles | Tristan Ridley

The Gist

Traditional steel bicycle chains outperform Gates carbon belt drives for long-distance bikepacking due to superior durability in abrasive dust, lower replacement costs, and easy repairability in remote locations.

Quick Overview

Traditional steel chains remain superior to Gates carbon belt drives for long-distance adventure cyclists navigating remote, rugged conditions. After three years of riding globally with a belt drive and experiencing multiple unexpected snapping failures in harsh desert and gravel environments, the host switched back to a standard heavy-duty chain paired with a Pinion gearbox. While belt drives offer genuine benefits for commuters and riders on paved surfaces through silence and zero oil requirements, they fail prematurely under the combined assault of fine silica dust and grit.

Key Points: Gates carbon belts failed three separate times during three years of global bikepacking, each snap occurring around the 8,000-kilometer mark despite a rated lifespan of 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers. Fine silica dust acts as a grinding paste between the belt teeth and metal sprockets, creating a loud squeaking noise that requires constant silicone lubrication. Replacement belts cost between 80 and 100 British pounds, whereas a heavy duty steel chain costs about a quarter of that price. Gates carbon drive belts are brittle when twisted or bent backwards during packing, which can easily shatter their internal carbon fiber tensile cords without visible exterior damage. Removing a Gates rear sprocket requires a specialized strap wrench, which is difficult to source in remote towns compared to the standard lockring tool used for traditional chain cassettes. A standard heavy duty single speed steel chain can last 8,000 kilometers with minimal care and is easily repaired on the trail with a chain breaker tool and spare links. Belt drives require a split frame design and a dedicated belt tensioner screw, limiting bicycle frame choices and adding complexity compared to standard setups.