To say there were a few surprises at least week’s Outdoor Retailer Show would be an understatement, notably as we expect the big bike news to occur at Eurobike or Interbike. But REI introduced the Novara, an affordable commuter bike that features the Gates Carbon Drive.
This bike offers a 3-speed hub as well as rear rack, fenders and a basket, but it is the grease-free belt drive that turned out head. It will be just $850 this fall.
When we think of a commuter bike we think of something that you don’t mind locking up all day while you’re at your desk. We think of something that can take a beating, something that you ride to work and back but a bike that likely sits next to something at home that you ride on the weekends or after work.
Needless to say the Rizoma 77/011 is not such a bike. This carbon fiber commuting bike is a high-end bicycle from Italy and it evokes style, functionality and design. Priced at $4,700 it features custom components including an interchangeable rear cog that allows it to be ridden as either a single-speed or fixie. It utilizes the Gates Carbon-Drive belt system instead of a traditional chain, so no worries about grease on the legs.
Because at this price the Rizoma 77/011 is a bike you might opt to ride in an Italian suit. Video after the jump
httpv://youtu.be/C8gkWQQKqoU
Anyone who is ever had to deal with a greasy boyfriend or husband (possibly even girlfriend/wife) knows that by changing gears can be rather messy. To that end Gates Carbon Drive has released a video that touts its “chain replacing technology.”
To celebrate its three-year sponsorship of the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS), Gates Carbon Drive is holding a frame design contest for the 2012 NAHBS taking place in Sacramento March 2-4. The contest encourages bike makers to build frames for use with the Gates Carbon Drive. Bike entries will be judged on sliding dropouts, belt tensioning systems, frame splits and a number of other design factors.
Continue reading Gates Holds Frame Design Contest for 2012 NAHBS
We’ve heard about the Gates Carbon Drive Systems and their new centralist position. And no, we’re not talking politics but something far more important, namely bicycle technology. This is specifically the CenterTrack System, which was invented by cycling innovator Wayne Lumpkin.
The new drive train technology has the promise of being the lightest, strongest and cleanest – not to mention best performing belt-drive system – yet created for a bicycle. So what does this mean? For one the CenterTrack should offer up 20 percent greater tensile strength while still offering a slimmer profile. The whole belt-drive thing is pretty innovative and CenterTrack could be a major leap forward, offering a clean, quite ride and now with a greater level of performance. The CenterTrack utilized front and rear pulleys that feature a narrow track that runs around the center of their circumference, rather than the raised flange that we traditionally see with belt-drive bikes. Continue reading Gates Takes CenterTrack