pic: Spectrum Fall 2013 Drivetrain

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

I'm not trying to bash your drive nor am I against the concept of a gear drive. If we had the time and the drive to do something different I'm sure my team would prototype one as well. Just thought I would share some info about belts.



If you can manufacture a drivetrain with enough precision for a functional gear drive, you have more than enough precision to make a dead spaced belt drive, which does not need tensioners.



A properly designed belt drivetrain should never need any maintenance. For the past three seasons we have not touched a drive belt since week 4-5 of build season (unless we had to remove an axle for another reason, but that doesn't really count). So this same advantage can apply to belts as well.

Yes but where do I get pulleys with the 6 hole pattern already machined (and preferably with versakeys)? Aren or Paul want to chime in here?

Also I did a quick cost break down of the Gear Drive vs. an 8 wheel #25 chain drive.
The gear system is about $170 more.

Here are the spreadsheets.