Belt Drives vs. Chain Drives for Electric Bikes: Pros & Cons

There are two main types of drive systems on an electric bike. You can either use a chain drive or belt drive to relay power to the wheels. But which is the better option?

For the uninformed, this can be a tough choice to make! 

In this post, we compare the unique attributes of belt drives vs. chains and try to figure out which one is a better fit for your electric bike based on the pros and cons they offer. 

Chains Vs. Belt Drives

Generally, chains are the most used drive system when it comes to powering bike wheels. This technology has been around for as long as we can remember. You’ll find chains on traditional bikes, e-bikes, as well as motorcycles. 

They are very common; you probably have one on your bike! However, there are alternative kinds of drive systems available, and the most preferred among them is the belt drive. 

Unlike chains, a belt drive employs a nylon-toothed belt that’s reinforced with carbon fiber cords to power the rear wheel. A belt is used in place of the conventional bike chain, and this is paired with strong stainless-steel cogs, as well as alloy chainrings. 

This results in a remarkably sturdy, clean, and durable drive system with very little maintenance needed. It is the same belt technology applied to belt drive motorcycles and car racing engines. Commuters are increasingly embracing belt-driven e-bikes for their cleanliness and low maintenance needs. 

Belt Drive Pros

Low Maintenance

The main reason why belt drives are preferred by most e-bike owners is the low maintenance involved. Unlike chain drive systems, they don’t require periodic adjustment and lubrication. An occasional scrub down is all that is needed when the belt gets caked with grime and mud. 

Durable

A well-maintained belt drive system can last around 3-5 times longer than a chain drive. You can get as many as 20,000 miles of travel out of your belt compared to the 3000-5000 miles that a chain will usually manage. 

Clean

Given that belt drives don’t require any kind of lubrication, you don’t have to worry about getting your hands dirty. Furthermore, the belts are usually coated in lube, meaning they don’t pick up sand or mud easily. However, some bike owners choose to add a little bit of silicone lube on the belt, which allows it to last longer and run smoother. 

Stealthy

Belt drives are generally quieter in comparison to chains. On the contrary, chains make a notable mechanical noise, especially during the switching of gears. 

Lightweight

Drive belts tip the scales at around 87 grams. Meanwhile, a standard bike chain will weigh approximately 300 grams, which is more than three times. Also, there is less gear involved when you are using a belt drive. For instance, you don’t need to carry a chain lube, chain breaker, degreaser, extra links, etc. 

This not only reduces the weight but also the bulkiness of your toolkit, making for a more effortless riding experience. 

Remains More Efficient Over Time

Belt drives don’t wear as much as chains over time. They maintain their initial shape much longer, with the cog and chainring wearing at a similar rate as the belt. While the efficiency of parts decreases as they wear, you can’t compare it to what happens on a chain drive. 

Straight Driveline

The driveline on a belt drive system is always straight since the belt doesn’t move between the cogs. All the shifting happens in a gearbox or hub. On the other hand, chains usually run at an angle, and this mostly occurs when you’re running towards the low or high extremes of your gear range. 

This inefficient cycle wastes a lot of energy. But you can pair a gearbox with your chain to get it to run straight as well. 

No Corrosion

Belt drives use contemporary synthetic materials such as nylon and carbon fiber in their construction. The advantage is that these materials aren’t affected by rust, making belt drives a great option in rust-prone areas. 

Belt Drive Cons

Only Works with Pinion Gearbox/Internal Gear Hub/Single Speed

Belt drives are only compatible with a Pinion gearbox or internal gear hub. They cannot be paired with derailleurs since the belt doesn’t run at an angle. It only functions in a straight line, which is limiting to your drivetrain options. 

Expensive

Belts drive systems are more pricey than a chain drive. Typically, a new belt costs anything between $80-100 whereas the front and rear sprockets retail for $60-80 a piece. Additionally, you’ll require an internal gear hub for the belt to run, which will cost you at least $1000 for premium options like Rohloff. 

This is way more than you’ll need for a complete chain drive system. Not to mention that the cost of replacing your sprockets and belt is enough to buy your bike’s new derailleur groupset. 

Hard to Access Spare Parts

If you live in a remote area away from the city, finding a spare part for an e-bike’s belt drive can be a tall order. Most small bike shops you come across don’t stock components for belt-driven bikes. You might have to go online to order a replacement or look for a high-end bicycle store. 

In fact, some nations don’t even import belt drive bicycle parts. This means if you experience some malfunction in a remote area, you might have to cut short your journey. On the bright side, belt drives relatively last longer and you can easily get away with only carrying a spare belt. 

Inconvenient in Case of Failure

If you experience any sort of damage on your belt drive, you can’t fix it easily and continue with your adventure. In the event your belt breaks, you’ll need a full replacement, which is tricky when you can’t find a shop. This may force you to drag your bike all the way home. 

Chain Drive Pros

Compatible with All Bikes

Chains are the standard bike drive system. They are used on normal bikes, e-bikes, and even motorbikes with no difficulty. You don’t require any special features on your bike’s frame like a tensioner system or a split to use it. 

Cheap

A new bike chain from Zonkie will only cost around $10-20 while its cassette is $20 and $40. Meanwhile, a chainring retails for about $20-80. In short, replacing the whole chain drive system will cost you less than buying a single carbon belt. If you are short on your budget, a chain drive system will be a more viable option for your e-bike. 

Easy to Access Spares

With chain drives, you won't have to look too far to find spares. Almost every bike store you’ll come across stocks freewheels, chains, cassettes, and chainrings. Whether you break your bike chain or damage a cog, you can find a replacement in almost any part of the world. This can’t be said for belt drive spares. 

Easy to Service and Replace

Any bike technician you go to has an idea of how to set up a chain drive and even maintain it as needed. This is more convenient in case you need something fixed. On the contrary, belt drives are a lot more complex and only specialized mechanics will know how to deal with them. 

Easy to Repair

You don’t need a technician to repair the damaged chain. If it happens to you in the middle of the wilderness, you can find a solution without much trouble. For instance, you can remove some links and limp to the nearest bike store. Alternatively, if you remembered to carry a chain tool, you can conduct the repairs on your own with little technical knowledge. 

Chain Drive Cons

Requires a Lot of Maintenance

For a chain drive to continue running smoothly, it requires constant maintenance. You have to clean it periodically and keep it lubricated, a task that can last about ten minutes. 

If you are just a casual rider, then you might have to clean your bike chain approximately once a month. However, for someone touring on the e-bike, this will need to happen after a couple of days on the road. With belt drives, there is no maintenance required. 

Not Durable

A standard chain drive will only last a maximum of 5000 miles, and this is only when there is proper maintenance. Note that if you have to replace the chain, you’ll also have to replace the cassettes. However, you can extend the shelf life of your chain drivetrain by swapping the chain every 500 miles. 

Dirty

The greasing of chains causes them to pick up a lot of dirt on the trail, especially if you’re riding on the off-road terrain. It can also get pretty messy when you have to replace or adjust the chain, which is not something you’d want on your way to work. 

Heavy

Chains are also quite heavy and can weigh almost thrice as much as a belt. In case you’re on a bike tour, you’ll also need to carry a chain tool, spare links, lubrication, etc. which means a heavier load for you to carry. 

Noisy

Chains produce a noise when the bike is moving. This happens because of the friction between the metal chain and metal cogs. There is also a noise produced when you shift between gears, and this gets worse when the chain is dirty. 

Prone to Corrosion

The metallic construction of the chain makes it susceptible to rust. This will be more evident if you use your bike near the ocean or during the winter season on salt roads. Belts are made out of synthetics and don’t experience any corrosion. 

Conclusion

So, which one should you choose; belt drives or chains? Well, there is no absolute answer to this as it depends on your own requirements. Overall, a belt drive system is the better option for contemporary riders who can spend more on new technology without having to worry about maintenance down the line. 

Meanwhile, chains offer a cheaper option that is easy to repair in case of damage. They are also compatible with all bike frames on the market and won’t be an issue when searching for spares. 

We trust that this post answered some of your questions !