The Gates Carbon Drive works in conjunction with a toothed belt which has been enforced with an inner lying carbon fibre to help increase the tensile strength.

This in turn provides the high working efficiency and together with the belts other qualities, shows that the system is generally suitable for the bicycle transmission.

The main benefit of the belt drive is simply that this transmission does not require any sort of lubrication. Therefore the average life expectancy of the belt drive lies approximately at the same level as that of a high quality chain transmission.

In order to mount the Gates Carbon Drive safely onto a bicycle, there are several important rules which must be followed exactly as with any other  carbon fibre bicycle components.

Due to the fact that the carbon fibres of the belt can be damaged through improper bending, twisting or through skipping over the belt pulley, it is important when fitting, tensioning and when removing/refitting the wheel to pay special attention to the detailed instructions supplied with the Gates Carbon Drive system.

If the carbon fibres within the belt are damaged due to improper use (this damage cannot be externally seen) then the belt will inevitably break. This can lead to accident/injury or possibly death.

Because the belt drive can only be fitted to specially constructed frames, the belt drive is currently not a retrofit component for retailers or cyclists, it may only be fitted by OEM manufacturers.