Belt bits

[stevej37]

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.

Looking closer at the bike, I found random belt teeth missing.

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.

[legion]

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."

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by legion

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?

[Sooner or later]

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

[71T Targa]

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

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

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

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.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

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

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)

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

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.

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.

[GH85Carrera]

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

[herr_oberst]

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.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by stevej37

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.

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.

Originally Posted by stevej37

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

Yeah, I am guessing outer circumference length, and tooth-count might help narrow it down.

Originally Posted by stevej37

I tried google...doesn't show anything for bikes/vilano/alfine belt bike.

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

[LWJ]

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!

[stevej37]

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.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by LWJ

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'll check that out..thanks!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

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 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.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by masraum

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.



automotive V-belt


automotive timing belt, probably the closest, but still probably won't work, IMO.

[stevej37]

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.

[stevej37]

This pic shows why it's not a real easy job to remove the belt.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

This pic shows why it's not a real easy job to remove the belt.

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

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

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.

Maybe you could just gorilla glue them back on!