Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfred
I'm conflicted, slightly.
On the one hand, 2815 has used the 2011 and 2012 kitbots with very light modifications (mostly to make it 6WD) and won three regionals with them. It works!
On the other hand, I know 1293 attempted to make belts work with the C-Base in 2011. They encountered enough flex issues with their arm that they ended up only using belts on the center-to-front run and chained from the gearbox to the center and rear wheels.
On the other other hand, 1293 also didn't have the brain trust you get when you put Gates, AndyMark, and FIRST's KoP engineers on the task. I'm not saying they're infallible, but I imagine this is the group I'd want to assemble if I was trying to get such a belt drive working in mass quantities.
We'll likely try it. And even if it turns out horribly unsuitable for our goal, well...we know a thing or two about chain. 
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The kit chassis can easily be stiffened with a few pieces of 1x1 tubing running across the inside.
Also, to those mentioning the $450 voucher - I really believe $450 is not hard to raise in a single weekend or a single bake sale, even in the worst locations, it can be done. Yes the veterans have flexibility to make the choice to take the voucher, but $450 isn't all that hard to raise, even if you are a rookie. If someone needs fundraising help, feel free to PM.