# Chains are STILL better than Belts for Bicycles Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx5nN3kyx5k Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/nx5nN3kyx5k Generated: 2026-08-25T02:28:36.376+00:00 --- ## 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. ![Screenshot at 01:14: The host holds up his snapped Gates carbon belt on the Kokopelli Trail in Utah, illustrating the complete catastrophic failure mode where the belt snaps cleanly with no option for a field repair.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/nx5nN3kyx5k/00-01-14.jpg) **Context:** Adventure cyclists often debate whether to use a traditional roller chain or a Gates carbon belt drive. While belt drives promise zero maintenance and cleanliness, testing them across extreme off-road terrain reveals critical vulnerabilities in remote areas. ## Detailed Analysis The host spent three years cycling tens of thousands of kilometers across Europe, Africa, and North America using a Gates carbon belt drive. After multiple unexpected snap failures in remote desert and mountain environments, he switched back to a traditional steel chain. The video evaluates the pros and cons of both systems based on real-world adventure cycling. While belt drives are praised for being clean, silent, and oil-free, they fail when exposed to abrasive dust, suffer from catastrophic crimp failure if bent during transport, and require difficult-to-find proprietary tools like strap wrenches for sprocket removal. ### Introduction to the Belt Drive Transition The host reflects on three years of touring with a belt drive before abandoning it for a traditional chain. - The host cycled thousands of kilometers through Europe, Africa, and North America using a Gates carbon belt drive. - After experiencing multiple unexpected belt snaps in remote locations, he switched back to a standard steel chain. - Hundreds of viewer messages prompted this detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of each drivetrain system. ![Screenshot at 00:26: The expedition bicycle equipped with a belt drive rests in turquoise water during the three-year global tour.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/nx5nN3kyx5k/00-00-26.jpg) ### The Drivetrain Comparison: Chain vs. Belt Understanding the fundamental mechanical differences between derailleur-based chains and internal gearbox belt drives. - Most bicycles use derailleur systems requiring flexible chains that move sideways across cassettes, which is impossible with rigid carbon belts. - The host's bicycle uses a Pinion mechanical gearbox, allowing a straight drive line from the front sprocket to the rear cog without a rear derailleur. - Switching between belts and sprockets and regular chainrings is straightforward since the overall layout remains compatible with the gearbox. ![Screenshot at 02:33: A close-up view of the Gates carbon belt system running on a gearbox-equipped frame.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/nx5nN3kyx5k/00-02-33.jpg) ### Why People Choose Belt Drives Examining the attractive marketing promises of the Gates Carbon Drive system. - Gates markets their carbon belts to last 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers, which is three to four times longer than a standard chain. - Belts are completely silent and eliminate the need for liquid lubricants, meaning no greasy calf tattoos or ruined trousers. - For commuters and paved-road tourers, the belt drive represents a low-maintenance holy grail. ![Screenshot at 03:47: An aerial shot of a cyclist riding smoothly along a flat dirt road at sunset.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/nx5nN3kyx5k/00-03-47.jpg) ### The Flaw of Dust and Grime Explaining how fine silica dust transforms the belt drive into a grinding paste. - Fine desert dust and silica act as an abrasive grinding paste between the belt teeth and metal sprocket. - Unwashed dust creates a loud, rhythmic squeaming noise that forces riders to apply silicone lubricant to a supposedly lube-free system. - All three of the host's belts snapped right around the 8,000-kilometer mark, well short of the advertised 30,000-kilometer lifespan. ![Screenshot at 08:21: A close-up view of the Gates belt engaged with the sprocket teeth where abrasive dust accumulates.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/nx5nN3kyx5k/00-08-21.jpg) ### The Fragility and Crimp Failure Issue Highlighting the hidden structural fragility of carbon tensile cords under stress. - Carbon fiber tensile cords inside the belt have incredible tensile strength when pulled straight, but they are extremely brittle when twisted or bent backward. - Packing a spare belt in luggage can easily shatter its internal cords without any visible external damage, causing immediate snapping under pedal power. - Traditional steel chains are made of hundreds of modular steel links and can easily survive being thrown into the bottom of a bag. ![Screenshot at 12:54: The host demonstrates the danger of twisting a carbon belt, which can shatter internal cords invisibly.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/nx5nN3kyx5k/00-12-54.jpg) ### Logistics, Repairs, and Tooling Comparing the field repairability and spare parts availability of chains versus belts. - Replacement belts cost between 80 and 100 pounds, whereas heavy-duty single-speed chains cost a quarter of that price. - Removing a Gates rear sprocket requires a specialized strap wrench, which is virtually impossible to find in a small-town bike shop. - Chains can be fixed with a simple chain breaker tool and a spare power link, whereas a snapped belt leaves the rider stranded until a costly international shipment arrives. ![Screenshot at 15:23: The specialized red strap wrench required to remove a Gates carbon drive sprocket.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/nx5nN3kyx5k/00-15-23.jpg) ### Conclusion and Verdict Summarizing why the host ultimately decided to stick with chains for all future expeditions. - Gates belt drives are fantastic engineering marvels for urban commuters and pavement touring where replacement parts are easily accessible. - For remote bikepacking and rough off-road touring, the risk of catastrophic belt failure and lack of field repairs make them unreliable. - The modular, highly repairable steel bicycle chain remains the king of long-distance expedition reliability. ![Screenshot at 17:18: The fully packed expedition bicycle resting against a stone wall after returning to a reliable chain setup.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/nx5nN3kyx5k/00-17-18.jpg)