---
title: "ASK ROB: NuVinci and Gates combo"
url: https://bikefriday.com/english-class-nuvinci-and-gates-combo/
type: post
date: 2012-03-20
modified: 2012-03-20
markdown_url: https://bikefriday.com/english-class-nuvinci-and-gates-combo.md
author: "BF Admin"
---

# ASK ROB: NuVinci and Gates combo

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The bell has rung, it's time again to take your seats and listen up as Bike Friday Head Designer Rob English holds class. Today's topic springs from a interested Bike Friday customer who wants to know why he can't combine the Gates Belt Drive technology on the Carbon Drive tikit with a NuVinci hub. Rob, take it away:]

 

```
Hi Michael,

We haven't yet offered the Gates Carbon Drive with the Nuvinci 360 hub.
```

```
Initially it was because the date of the cog's available kept getting pushed
back (although it sounds like, after over a year, it is
finally done!). Secondly it was because the gearing ends up very low on the
tikit's 16-inch wheels.
```

```
However, in review it is actually not any worse than
the 60x22 Alfine 8-speed. The Nuvinci runs from a 0.5 reduction to a 1.8
overdrive. So with 60x24 drivetrain this gives 20 to 72 inches.
```

```
It's not ideal, but useable (I had a tikit with 53x18 and the 8-speed for a while -- which
gives 25 to 76 inches. This was fine for around town on the flat). If we
could persuade Nuvinci/Gates to do a 20T sprocket at some point that
would be ideal (24 to 86 inches). But the last time I spoke with them they
were clear that it would only be a 24T.

The Future's tikit has 80x25, which gives 27 to 83 inches on the 8-speed hub. I
don't yet have enough miles on that c-drive belt to give a good opinion
compared to the Gates (on which I have 7000+ miles), but it is
definitely aimed at the recreational rider as opposed to the performance
rider with the Gates.
```

```
We are using it for a clear reason -- to give customers a lower priced
entry point for a belt driven bike, the frame of which will support an
upgrade to a Gates system in the future if desired. Incidentally,
shortly all our Gates bikes will be center-track.

I would say that if the gear ratios will work for you, then the
Gates+Nuvinci would be a reliable, durable solution, and knowing that
the cog is available we can certainly build it for you.
```

 Rob English