Belt Drive Dropout Concept

I'm toying with the idea of building a 29er single speed demo frame with a belt drive system from Carbon Drive Systems. The trick is creating a breakaway frame component that allows the belt to slip through during installation and/or removal for servicing. For a quick-and-dirty prototype, I'm going to modify a sliding dropout assembly as shown in the images below. The back side of the dropout body will have a circular machined recess to accept a seatstay attachment; this attachment can pivot around the hood's centerline to accommodate for different frame sizes more easily. The mating parts are held together with an M8 screw that will be torqued down with blue Loctite. I may opt for an even shorter seatstay component that 'nests' directly with the adjacent hooded surface on the sliding dropout body. Belt driven bikes are fun to ride and offer another reason to try something new.

Shannon's VK Hardtail

Just finished a beautiful frame for Vanderkitten racer Shannon who will be competing in numerous endurance events this season. Built with sculpted Easton 7005 Ultralite Race tubing throughout, this machine is race ready! As shown it weighs 3.4 lbs (1542g) and should easily build up to 23 lbs complete.

NAHBS 2010

I just registered for the NAHBS 2010 in Richmond, VA next February. Needless to say I'm excited about the show since I missed last year's event due to family reasons. Now is the fun part...figuring out what to display and how to get it there! Be sure to check out the NAHBS website which has been fully redesigned.

www.handmadebicycleshow.com