The Trek District as a Fixed Gear?
T
he District is being branded as a commuter bike, which it would be great as. The belt drive means that there is no greasy chain to eat your pants as you dodge traffic. The single speed makes it simple and reliable. But what about those that want to simplify it even more and go fixed gear? Fixie inc is the only fixed gear belt drive that I know of, but I have often wondered how easy it would be to make the District into a fixie. Here is the reply I got from Trek.
TD: I’m sure you already know that the style of the District appeals to the fixie crowd. How easy would it be to convert to a fixie?
TREK: Only factor limiting this is a compatible rear hub and cog. There are some companies out there that are working on this, including Trek. Currently, though, it’s not possible to convert to fixed gear with parts available through Trek. If other companies have them available already, then you could use their parts to switch over.
TD: It sounds like the rear cog just slips over a Shimano freehub body. If this is the case, could you just use the Surly Fixxer to convert it to a fixed gear?
TREK: Can’t guarantee that the Fixxer would work with the stock hub, as this isn’t a Shimano hub (it’s Formula). As long as the belt cog was compatible with the converter, it could work. There are some really cheep looking belt drive freewheels out there as well. There’s a folding bike company called Strida that has been using belt drive for years and has drive train parts available.
TD: What is the rear spacing?
TREK: Spacing is 135mm in the rear, 100mm front. (not 120mm track).
With that in mind, it seems like a simple conversion to a fixie may not exist. Of course you could always re-lace the rear wheel with a different hub and you would be in business. Any other ideas?
Something tells me that Trek will be working on solving the problem with some in house solution if the demand is high enough. I know I would love a flip flop belt drive hub.
Tags: Belt Drive, Fixed Gear, Single Speed
This entry was posted on Thursday, November 6th, 2008 at 11:25 am and is filed under Trek District. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I ride a Strida and can tell you that belt drive can be a terrific choice. You’re right – no more ripped or greasy long pants but what I really love is the maintenance free aspect. Strida estimates that their belt drive will last 50,000 miles. For most cyclists, that’s a lifetime and you will never have to apply lubricant or degreaser to it.
To learn more about the Strida, I have detailed product info on my site and also an exclusive interview with the Strida’s designer (Mark Sanders).
By the way, I think I saw that Trek at InterBike…
Larry
http://ridethisbike.com
December 15th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hey! So, I don’t really know who you are but let me just say, I LOVE your blog.
As the guy responsible for the District’s marketing, I think what you’re doing is fabulous. So, here is what I propose. I have a few early Districts coming late-January. I will make sure that you are on the VIP list to receive a test bike in exchange for a review. I want your review to be your thoughts. You’re the journalist, you write what you feel. I have no worries that you will find the bike anything but exemplary.
One thing I do request. More postings! It’s been since November and we’ve been in Maxim, Men’s Health, ID, etc.
Hit me back with an email when you’re ready to respond. Again, I love the blog. Happy Holidays.
Best, E
Lifestyle Brand Manager
Trek Bicycle Corp.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:00 am
I ride a fixed gear bike and I have owned a Strida 3 in the past. I am excited by the prospect of a belt driven fixed gear bicycle.
While riding the Strida which is a single speed, I often noticed the chain skipping.
This would happen in high torque up hill riding.
There is a different belt on the Strida. The outer area is smooth and it is held tight with a bearing on the rear hub.
I can see that the District has ridges on the out surface of its belt. I do not have any good photos of the drive system so i don’t know how it works other than guessing.
I am concerned that the high torque of skid stopping my cause the belt to skip.
Does anyone have more information on this?
I would love a belt driven fixie!
Nathaniel Adie
January 25th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Hi there,
It’s an awesome bike, by any chance is anybody know the belt system allow to use any other rear hub? I’m looking to buy one , only if able to run with S3X internal 3 speed hub. Please let me know, cheers Tamas
January 29th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
How about this,
Could you take out the the belt drive chain rings/hubs and put regular chain rings/hubs on this bike. that way you could ride fixie until someone came out way for you to ride fixie with a belt drive.
also with a regular chain on it, could this bike have a derailluer and gears put on it?
February 9th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
*reads Dan’s comment*
*Slaps face with hand*
February 14th, 2009 at 11:04 am
*reads Dan’s comment*
*Slaps face with hand*
ditto
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:56 am
*reads Dan’s comment*
*Slaps face with hand*
ditto
ditto
April 20th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
*reads Dan’s comment*
*Slaps face with hand*
ditto
ditto
ditmofo’nto!
May 11th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Is there any possible to stick an internal hub onto this bike? I am dreaming of combining it with Rohloff 14 Speed. I understand it would require re-spoking the wheel.
Mmmmmmm.
(ditto)
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 pm
The only real fixed gear belt drive that I’ve seen is the Stealth from f8cycles.com.
December 13th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
It looks like Fixie Inc has a fixed-free splined hub for their 5 Star bike. See the links here.
http://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/fivestar_4.jpg
http://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/kickflip.jpg
http://www.bikerumor.com/2008/08/29/fixie-shows-off-2009-singlespeed-racer-bikes/
No dealers in the US though, so I don’t know how to get my hands on one.
May 1st, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Just so everyone knows, fixie inc. out of Germany now produces a 6 bolt rear gear that will mount to any is2000 disk brake mount making a flip flop hub possible out of any disk compatible rear hub.
June 12th, 2010 at 4:51 am
I love it!
January 4th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
The Onza 6speed fixed trials hub will work.
http://www.onza.com/v2/products/p+a/wheel/popup/005.html?parts=control
January 26th, 2011 at 11:55 am
“There are some really cheep looking belt drive freewheels out there as well.”
How do you figure?? Phil Wood is the only company that makes a belt drive freewheel. At $200+, “Cheap” and “Phil Wood” don’t belong on the same page together. The Strida’s freewheel is in the bottom bracket and is beyond incompatible. Belt freewheels do not exist. People who run 120mm frames, i.e. everyone who rides fixed, have no belt drive parts available, period. Fail.