Gates Carbon Drive on a Commuter Bike — Long-Term Review

A carbon belt instead of a chain — after thousands of kilometres, was it worth it?

Willem replaced the traditional chain on his commuter bike with a Gates Carbon Drive belt. After thousands of kilometres through Amsterdam rain and winter — here's the honest verdict on belt drives for daily commuting.

The Gates Carbon Drive replaces a metal chain with a carbon fibre belt. No oil, no rust, no stretched links. In theory, it's the perfect commuter drivetrain. In practice — after upgrading from the CDN to the CDX version — it mostly lives up to the promise.

What's great: completely silent, zero maintenance, never dirty, lasts far longer than any chain. In Amsterdam's wet, salty conditions, a chain rusts and stretches within months. The belt just keeps going.

What to know: belt drives require a frame with a split stay or removable dropout (you can't thread a closed belt through a frame). The initial cost is higher. And you need an internally geared hub — no derailleurs.

Willem paired his with a Shimano Alfine 8-speed internal hub. The combination is effectively maintenance-free commuting.

From Willem's cycling collection.