Biking firm Gates believes that belt-drive bikes are the way forward for downhill racing, and the rider who proves it can obtain a hefty reward.
The primary bike owner who wins a World Cup downhill race utilizing a motorcycle with a Gates belt drive will obtain €100,000 (about $106,000) from the corporate. That’s fairly a bit greater than the few thousand dollars downhill racers normally obtain from Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for a first-place win.
This Gates Belted Purse Prize may also roll over if not claimed this season. In different phrases, the corporate’s reward will stay out there till a successful bike owner comes to assert it. However they’ll must win utilizing a belt drive, which can supply benefits over conventional, chain-based transmission by way of improved dealing with and management and lowered threat of malfunction.
“The time has come to make historical past,” Chris Sugai, Common Supervisor of Gates International Mobility, mentioned in a information launch.
What’s a Belt Drive?
The essential clarification of a belt drive is easy: It replaces the traditional bike chain with a toothed belt, typically used with an built-in gearbox.
Carbon belt drives have existed for over 10 years however have grow to be extra in style lately amongst commuter bikes and e-bikes. The absence of greased steel elements means much less upkeep and extra sturdiness. Belt drives additionally weigh a lot much less and gained’t add black stains to your pants.
It’s unlikely that belt drives will grow to be customary in street racing, as they require extra vitality to propel the bike ahead than a series drive. However in downhill racing, Gates’ bike engineers assume {that a} belt drive win on the world stage is “inevitable,” as one mentioned within the above video.
Carbon belt drives give downhill riders “better management, improved steadiness, and higher dealing with,” Gates claimed in a information launch. “Navigating tight corners and technical sections are enhancements enabled by this radically totally different drivetrain configuration.”
To win Gates’ prize cash, cyclists should win within the “elite” division of a World Cup downhill race with “a bicycle utilizing a Gates CDX belt as the only real transmission of energy by way of the bicycle’s drivetrain.” Groups and athletes can apply for the problem beginning April 22 however should submit at the very least 72 hours earlier than the beginning of a contest.
Go to the Gates web site to see the complete list of rules.
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