 |
 |
 |
|
Colorado bike company joins the chainless revolution |
|
Wednesday, November 09, 2011 18:15 |
|
Frank Scurlock of Gates Carbon drive holds a bicycle with a belt-driven system that is vying to replace the bike chain. Hyoung Chang / The Denver Post
By Jason Blevins, The Denver Post
The Denver-based Gates Corp.'s innovative belts changed car engines decades ago. Today, the century-old company's carbon-fiber belts are transforming bikes.
Like disc brakes and full suspension — technology that revolutionized biking — Gates' 3-year-old Carbon Drive belt system could eliminate the venerable bicycle chain.
"This is equally as game-changing," says Gates business development manager Frank Scurlock as he rolls out a bike sporting the unique belt system.
Thirty years ago, Gates suggested its toothy rubber timing belts were tenable successors to timing chains in cars, arguing that its patented belts were stronger, longer lasting and virtually maintenance-free. Today, nearly half of all new cars sport timing belts.
Gates, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, is hoping its carbon-fiber belt system will similarly recast bike anatomy. And for a company that bills itself as "the world's most trusted name in belts, hose and hydraulics," the bike belt can reintroduce consumers to an industrial brand that has spent several decades tucking its inventive designs deep inside factories and engines.
Sixty-eight brands with 150 models will join Gates in the quiet, chainless revolution by next year.
Read more about Gates, the cost of the Carbon Drive belt system and the reasons Gates touts a belt-driven system at denverpost.com.
|
