chain drive vs friction drive

[chefdouglas]

Like the "Ginger or Mary Anne" debate.

One is better looking but high maintenance, the other is not as flashy but lower maintenance. Both are fun to ride.........

Gh0stRider hit the nail on the head, but to add to it any way one is good to show your mom the other to your friends.

 

[motorbikemike45]

A cheap Chinese Happy Time engine in frame mounted chain drive is the least expensive, but least reliable system. A friction drive kit with a good Japanese engine is a touch more expensive and hugely more reliable. Staton's rack mounted chain drive system is yet more expensive, and with the right engine, rock solid reliable. You get what you pay for.

 

[eastwoodo4]

Staton's chain drives aren't cheap. They're a VERY well made, very reliable drive system. (His gearbox comes with a lifetime warranty!) The chinese 2-stroke, in-frame chain drives ('Happy Time') are, though...

As far as in-frame systems 'looking better,' that's purely a matter of opinion, LOL. I happen to like a motored bicycle that looks like a bicycle with a motor added, not like a motorcycle wannabe... ;-)

you just said everything i was thinking.

i dont know what some of these guys r thinking but in frame isnt the only chain drives.staton makes quality chain drives that will probably last longer than a gebe belt.no offense to gebe,great product.


now,as someone whos driven friction and chain drive i have to say chain drive.i road a friction drive for two years and got along fine untill we got day and days of rain.then the slipping became a problem.since then ive went to chain drive with an hd freewheel set up on it which eliminates broken spokes and all that.
its rack mount which i like because like loquin says,it looks like a bicycle with a small motor attached instead of a cheezy bicymotorcycle??? with a big gas tank.


so to answer your question,go with a quality chain or belt drive.no chinese junk.if your not gonna ride in the rain at all,get a friction drive if you want simplicity.

 

[Warner]

When I built my bike I only seriously considered two kits. The GEBE belt drive kit and the Staton chain drive kit....both rack mount with good engines. The reason I chose the Staton kit over the GEBE were:

1 - The Staton kit offers virtually ZERO resistance when simply pedaling, which I do a lot when I go for rides with my daughter (engine off).

2 - I don't like the way the GEBE "ring" looks OR believe in the mechanics of it attaching to a few spokes. The Staton chain drive setup runs directly to the hub of the back wheel, and therefore distributes the power equally to all spokes, in addition to guaranteeing that everything is centered.

3 - I believe in chains more than belts. I'm sure the belts wear out faster than the chains do.


Having said that, I think both systems have merits and are reliable....I just think the Staton chain drive system does everything a little better and smarter than the GEBE system.

Warner

 

[Member 5549]

check out belt drive !!!

no tire wear
use any style tires
high quality japanese engines 2 or 4 stroke
no slipping in the rain at all
no greese no adjusting chains
no heavy gearbox's
I have 1000 miles on belt with no sign of wear
and the ride is smooth !!!!!

oh yea 1 more thing They actully have good assembly instructions !!!!!!!!!!!

http://bikeengines.com/

 

[Warner]

no tire wear
use any style tires
high quality japanese engines 2 or 4 stroke
no slipping in the rain at all
no greese no adjusting chains
no heavy gearbox's
I have 1000 miles on belt with no sign of wear
and the ride is smooth !!!!!

oh yea 1 more thing They actully have good assembly instructions !!!!!!!!!!!

http://bikeengines.com/

I can't argue about the lack of good instructions from Staton.....they are NOT great instructions. So if GEBE has good instructions that is definitely a plus for them. I still rate the true freewheeling WAY up on my list....and the huge "ring" that attaches to the spokes just seems so hokey to me. But I know they are good and reliable kits. I just like the Staton design and engineering better.


Warner

 

[Member 5549]

I would like

To get a Staton also.
They look heavy duty !!
and they do use good engines...
Iam kinda interested in the new axel mount kit, I like the idea of the engine being further away from my ears...

 

[Warner]

To get a Staton also.
They look heavy duty !!
and they do use good engines...
Iam kinda interested in the new axel mount kit, I like the idea of the engine being further away from my ears...

If I were going to build another bike, I'd probably go with the axle mount one myself.

Warner

 

[mifletz]

Am waiting to see a video clip of Staton's new axle-mount in action.

 

[Member 5549]

yea

theres a guy on this site that just built one.
I hope has can post a youtube video !!!!
it's not that hard and if you have problems you can just ask a 12 year old !!!!
thats what i did !!!