[DGrohnke1023]

1023 has used cogged belts instead of chains the last 2 years.

Our 2007 robot had aluminium pulleys which we had no problems with. The belts stretched during build season and we retightened the belts (once). The drivetrain did not have to be worked on through 3 competitions it just worked.

The 2008 robot also used belt drive but had some problems. Our original ratio was not right and the belts would slip as we turned; we did not use an idler pulley. Another issue for 2008 was when we used plastic and metal pulleys. They came without a keyway and we had them keyed. We later learned they weren't ment for the stresses we put them under, the plastic seperated from the metal leaving us spinning around the field.

So I would recommend belts as long as the pulleys are metal and the belt is tensioned.