What is a belt drive anyway?

In contrast to the traditional bicycle chain, the belt drive uses a toothed belt made of carbon fiber and plastic to transmit power from the bottom bracket to the rear wheel. This belt runs over specially shaped gears (pinions) and is grease-free.

Advantages:

• No lubricant required

• Very quiet in operation

• Less wear and tear

• Clean: No dirty pants or oil-stained fingers

• Ideal for commuters, touring riders and everyday e-bike users

Regular maintenance: Quick to do, but crucial

A belt drive requires significantly less maintenance than a chain – but you should still give it a minimum of attention, especially in rain, mud or dust.

1. Clean the belt

• How often? Every few weeks or after driving in adverse conditions. Especially in winter when there's snow, ice, slush, and road salt on the road.

• How? With water, a soft brush, or a cloth. Use mild soap if necessary.

• Important: Do not use aggressive cleaners or high-pressure cleaners!

2. Silicone spray as a care tip

After cleaning, a light spray with silicone spray can help improve the running properties of the belt:

• Reduces quiet creaking or squeaking noises

• Forms a thin, dry protective film

• Holds dirt less strongly than oil or grease

🔧 Application: After cleaning, spray onto the dry belt, let it work for a short time, and wipe off with a cloth if necessary. Don't overdo it – just a touch is enough. Some belt drive manufacturers offer a maintenance spray as an alternative.

3. Check belt tension

The belt must be tight enough, but not over-tensioned. Some e-bikes offer a tension scale or can be checked via a smartphone app. Alternatively, the "guitar string test" can help: if the belt sounds clear and tight when tapped, it's usually correctly tensioned.

4. Check gears

Check regularly for foreign objects, damage, or visible wear. Small stones or branches can become wedged between the teeth and impair function.

What you should avoid

• No lubricants or oils! These will contaminate the belt and lead to premature wear.

• No high-pressure cleaner: This can damage the bearings and the belt.

• Do not bend or twist: Handle the belt carefully when removing or transporting it.

• Remove salt residue: Rinse thoroughly after driving on salted roads, especially in winter.

When does the belt need to be replaced?

A belt drive can easily last 20,000 km or more. However, there are signs that a replacement is necessary:

• Frayed or damaged belt edges

• The belt jumps over under load

• Unusually loud noises despite care

• Visible tooth wear on the gears

How do you change a belt drive?

Changing the belt isn't rocket science, but it does require a bit more effort than changing a bicycle chain, as the frame needs to be opened or specially prepared.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preparation

• Secure your bike (e.g. use a repair stand)

• Remove the battery (for e-bikes)

• Completely loosen belt tension (usually via dropouts or tensioning mechanism)

2. Open frame

Many pulleys have a split frame or a special "belt window" in the rear triangle. This must be opened to remove the old belt and thread the new one.

💡 Note: If there is no opening mechanism, a belt drive cannot be easily retrofitted.

3. Change belt

• Remove old belt

• Guide the new belt through the frame and place it over the gears

• Make sure that it sits exactly on the teeth (not tilted or tense)

4. Adjust belt tension

• Re-tension the belt correctly – follow the manufacturer’s recommendations

• Ideal is a slightly tight tension with noticeable resistance when pressing

• If unsure: Visit a workshop or use a tension meter. Rule of thumb: The belt should have about 1cm of play, so it should be possible to push it down.

5. Test run

• Turn the crank by hand: does the belt run smoothly without dragging or jumping?

• Short test drive for inspection

Conclusion: Belt drive = easy to maintain, but not maintenance-free

The belt drive makes many things easier – but ignoring it completely risks premature wear. With a few simple steps (water, a brush, soap/dishwashing liquid, silicone spray), it stays quiet, clean, and efficient. The advantages at a glance:

• Hardly any maintenance required

• Longer service life

• No oily hands, no dirty trouser legs

• Ideal for everyday e-bikes

If you also know how to change a belt correctly, you can enjoy even more independence – whether when traveling, on tours or in everyday urban life.

Tip for frequent drivers: Have your vehicle inspected once a year – especially if you drive a lot of miles, on off-road terrain, or in wet conditions.