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So, I've picked up another 'bargain' damaged Indy Fab Ti Delux (cracked in the same place as TheSwede's). As I need to send this off to be welded (using Enigma), I'm also tossing up the idea of maybe having the frame modified to have the option of running a belt drive (so a cut & shut job on the seatstay I guess?). Was thinking something similar to the Van Nicholas setup might be possible, what do ya'll think?
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What other ways could this be done?
You have asked Enigma, right?
I'd have thought it would need to be simple to be cost effective.
How about something like [url= http://www.paragonmachineworks.com/storename/paragonmachineworks/dept/261339/ItemDetail-10525441.aspx ]these[/url] from Paragon?
aha, that thing from Paragon looks to be what I need! Haven't spoken properly with Enigma yet, was just fleshing out ideas before doing so 🙂
Have it repaired and the x3 piece stay couplings from Shand Cycles to get the belt on and off. Great frame, great idea, lets see pics !!
just found link
http://www.shandcycles.com/2010/02/23/carbondrive-beltdrives/
Psyche the best way I would think would be an s and s coupler this is the way indi fab do it is what I'm having done
[url= http://twitpic.com/2ebrqe ]s and s [/url]
This is how it looks it costs $250 on a indi fab new build to give you an idea
I'm sure you're already aware, but just incase remember that you can't weld ti to dissimilar metals, so the fitting would have to be ti, like those very neat looking ones from Paragon.
Eeeek, the amount of blueing on those indi fab welds is worrying!
Rob
What are you planning to run with it? If it's a Rohloff hub forget it, as they won't supply the carrier without the frame passing the Gates/Universal Transmissions test.
Santos will only use the Gates belt system on their aluminium frames not steel. I've been told that's it's because their alloy frame is 'stiffer', this despite me thinking that weight for weight steel is far 'stiffer' than aluminium. Elastic modulus and all that. How this relates to Ti, god knows. Confused.
Paragon also list a sliding dropout with splitter, in Ti. No idea how to do links I'm afraid.
Just looking at the picture of your frame.
Unless you're looking to replace both dropouts with sliding dropouts or the BB shell for an eccentric oversize shell, this idea is fundamentally flawed as you'll have no means of adjusting the belt tension.
Travellingman... eh? They state on the website that the Gates belt drive is compatible with Rohloff hubs...
As for steel frames, Fixie Inc. do one, plus Black Sheep make a titanium frame for belt drive...
Also, didn't someone recently just fit a belt drive to a Kona A, so I guess you can just buy the parts and sort it out yourself on whatever frame you like!
funkynick - yeah you're right it's compatible with a Rohloff hub but you can't get all of the parts from Gates. You need a carrier for the Rohloff hub and guess what? Only Rohloff will fit it for you! They'll only do that if the frame has passed the Gates test. Rohloff even stated to me that the test could potentially destroy a lot of frames not built for the purpose and advised against it. So, make of that what you will!!
If you're not running a Rohloff hub you can do what you like, as all of the necessary parts are available to buy from Nicolai/Universal Transmissions so that answers the Kona A build.
As regards frame materials I agree, steel makes the most sense as it's the 'stiffest' material. Still confused!
Aaaaah.. gotcha, so it's a Rohloff requirement, and not a Gates requirement.
That makes more sense now!
:o)
The VN method of splitting the seatstay/chainstay is the neatest and lightest way to do it. All the other methods are just extra metal and complication.
I would be wary of modifying a Ti frame though. One of their big selling points is their "feel". Generally that translates into flexy chainstays which is a no-no for belt drive. There are bodges and kludges to get round that though.
Why?