Belt bits
 

I use my Vilano 8 speed bike nearly every morning on my rollers. 5-10 miles daily until the snow is gone. The room where the rollers are is low humidity. Today, before using it I noticed about 6 of these underneath the rollers.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1581622230.jpg
Looking closer at the bike, I found random belt teeth missing.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1581622316.jpg
I've had the bike for 3 years and put at least a thousand miles on a year...so I understand the wear...esp because of the low humidity in the winter.
I called Vilano to see about a new belt. They told me it was unique to that bike.
Looking at the belt..I can't find a number on it, but it clearly says it's a Gates belt.
Any reason why I couldn't find a local car parts shop that has these? If I call around..the first question will be.."what's the number on it?"
If I can't, it will take a few weeks to get one from Vilano.:(

Maybe instead of a part number, maybe they are sold by length? Maybe you can just say something like: "I need a 20 inch Gates belt."

A string around the belt while it's on the bike? Or are they measured from the inside?

Pull off the belt and take it to the biggest auto parts store in town.

Keep riding until it breaks. One or two teeth missing isn't going to cause it to slip.

This. And be prepared to hear "what does this go on" right from the start.

Google may well know the answer to that belt size. I would bet someone besides you has needed a new one.

More than that missing. It still doesn't skip..but it prob will soon.
I will keep using it...no reason not to....just have to keep from standing-up on the pedals. That could end up bad. (I never use clips on the rollers)

I'll be prepared for a lot of strange looks after saying what it goes on! No problem.
I tried google...doesn't show anything for bikes/vilano/alfine belt bike.

Tell them is is for your Proton Pro Model 2201 time machine.

Count the number of teeth on the belt and hit up your local Amazon, or do a google search. You'll find new ones, but, hoo boy, prepare to open up the old wallet. Looks like those are 100 bucks.

The low humidity may be a factor, but I know that belts need to be properly tensioned, and lubed (just like chains) to prevent premature wear. So, maybe check/address both if you haven't in a while/ever. ;)
Yeah, I am guessing outer circumference length, and tooth-count might help narrow it down.
May or may not be helpful:

https://www.gatescarbondrive.com/products/belts

https://www.gatescarbondrive.com/~/media/files/gcd/oemfactoryresources/gatesshimanomanualen.pdf

https://www.cyclingabout.com/carbon-belt-drive-everything-you-ever-need-to-know/

https://www.modernbike.com/belt-drive-belts

The Gates drive for bikes is a well known system. I just checked. Jensen USA has these. They have a 125 tooth, a 120, 115, 118, and 113. Should be somewhat easy to figure what you need. Good luck!

I really like this bike..the Shimano/Alfine shifter is silent...no greasy chain...completely quiet when pedaling. Some say there is a loss of power with a belt...I can't see that. I have a 24 speed road bike that takes the same amount of effort for me. Maybe doing a competitive race would be different..but I don't participate.

I've never lubed the belt...but that makes sense. Just spray it with chain lube..or maybe wd-40? I tried counting the teeth..will have to take the belt off to do that. I've done that before, to change/fix tires..not real easy because of where the belt passes through.

I just got off the phone with Vilano..ordered the belt. They said it would arrive next week..not bad.
When it arrives, I'll take the old one in to the auto parts store and try to match it up for the next replacement.
Thanks for the answers.:)

I'll check that out..thanks!

I think you're going to have multiple issues with using automotive belts. 1 automotive belts come in different lengths and widths, so you need to get the width right 2 different belts (auto, mower, dryer) have a different V-angle, I believe, so you'll want one that matches your sprockets, and I'm guessing your belt is closer to parallel on the sides vs being V shaped. 3 automotive belts that look like they have teeth, are I think, just to make the belt bend around a tight radius. They are less like a sine wave and more like a V-notch, but what you have looks like a tight sine wave. If the sprockets have teeth that go into the notches, then you probably need the notches to be the appropriate size.

It's worth a shot, and might work if the belt broke to get you home, but I suspect you're going to be SOL if trying to use an automotive belt.

I just realized, you're probably not talking about cogged V-belts (which is what came to mind). you're probably talking about timing belts. Interesting. I'm still thinking that many/most are going to be too wide, and probably have the wrong profile for the teeth.

https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/upl...DX-closeup.jpg

automotive V-belt
http://assets.suredone.com/1742/medi...d-v-belt-2.jpg

automotive timing belt, probably the closest, but still probably won't work, IMO.
https://www.acorn-ind.co.uk/_assets/...t-&-Pulley.jpg

Here's a close-up of one of the missing teeth. Six of them total, but spread out, so the belt doesn't skip....yet.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1581634518.jpg

This pic shows why it's not a real easy job to remove the belt.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1581635192.jpg

The closest automotive belt is probably going to be a timing belt. The only way to figure out which one might work would probably be to have a manufacturer's catalog. I used to work in parts stores years ago. The software is OK, but if you really need a part that's odd or unusual, there's no substitute for having a huge rack full of catalogs. They often have raw measurements and specs that the software doesn't include. That's what you'd need, for things like the width of the belt. I noticed that one of the sites that I looked at for gates belt drive for bikes talked about the pitch.

It looks like Gates may have a website that allows you to filter based on some of those raw measurments.

https://www.gates.com/us/en/power-transmission/automotive-timing-belts/automotive-timing-belts/c/124

Maybe you could just gorilla glue them back on! ;)

:D

Your bike has a bolt at the seat stay (seen in the picture, it's above the drive side dropout) to split the frame to remove the belt. It's actually easier than removing a linked chain.

This is a driveline belt for a bike. It's not an automotive belt, it is a belt specifically made for a bicycle. There are differences in the quality of the belts you can buy, but there are standards as to the length, and the profile of the teeth.

Count the teeth on the belt to determine the length of bicycle drivetrain belt that you need.

I've had it off a few times..the hardest part is the cable that connects to the 8 speed hub. There is a drop-in for the nut that is on the end of cable that is difficult to get seated and then the cable always needs to be re-adjusted. Do-able, but not fun.

I did re-order the same belt from Vilano. I'll prob just stick with them for replacement.
I first thought I could just pick one up from my local auto parts. I see what you mean.

I personally would try Bohnings adhesive for fletching( putting feathers onto arrow shafts),rather than gorilla glue, to attempt to reinstate the missing teeth. There is a lot of torque applied to each tooth though when it's engaged with the sprocket.

Hmm, do they make a flexible JB Weld? :D

J/K, yeah, absolutely no to gluing the teeth back on. I was kidding.

If a few more teeth break off....the bike will set until the new belt arrives.
I still have my other road bike...if I want to bring that inside for the rollers.
As far as outside riding..there is a good foot of snow now...we had better weather for biking in Jan.

Surprisingly, the new belt arrived today!
The original says 'Gates' on it. This one feels/looks the same but says 'CDRIVE'
I'll prob order another one for a spare. It does look like it's unique to bikes only.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1581795592.jpg

^^^ Is that an Alfine 8 speed hub?

edit: I just looked closer and don't see a shifter cable.

They're quiet riding. Do you like it?

You can try an Industrial supplier not automotive, 8M1248 timing belt.

^^^I did..online. The few that showed pics looked wrong. I don't want to order one that won't fit.
I'll stay with Vilano for replacements...if this one works ok.
Three years use...is ok by me.
Thanks!

Looks like they have switched to Taiwanese-made timing belts:

Taiwan Synchronous Belt company

Might be able to source them direct (sales@twbelt.com) or through a distributor for cheaper.

Should be 156 tooth, going by their chart. Just need to know the belt-width, as you already have the pitch and length (8M-1248).