Description

Krikit Belt Tension Meter CDS

The Krikit Belt Tension Meter CDS allows determination of proper belt tension, essential for optimum operation of the Gates Carbon Drive system. Lack of belt tension can lead to “skipping”, where the teeth of the belt slide over the teeth of the rear sprocket. Conversely, too much tension can damage the bearings within the rear hub, can cause the system to drag, and can increase the wear of your drive system.

Tensioning procedures vary depending on the bike. Common types of tensioning systems include sliding or pivoting dropouts and eccentric bottom brackets. Correct alignment of the belt must be maintained as the tension is adjusted.

There are three common methods for measuring tension on your Carbon Drive system: the Gates Krikit Belt Tension Meter, the Eco Tension Tester, and the Gates Carbon Drive iPhone® App (available as a free download through the App Store). For each of these, the tension may vary a little along the belt, so you should repeat this procedure several times. Rotate the cranks a quarter turn after each measurement and measure again. The tools only measure tension; they do not specify the correct tension. Suitable settings will vary with rider weight, so you should refer to this document for detailed use instructions and the correct tension range for your Gates Carbon Drive setup.

Use the Gates Drive Calculator to find the perfect fit for your ride.

THREE KEYS WHEN WORKING WITH CARBON DRIVE

HANDLING

Gates Carbon Drive belts are highly durable. They offer long life when properly handled. However, caution must be used during installation to avoid damaging the carbon tensile cords.  When they experience excessive bending and twisting, this creates crimps, which can lead to belt breakage.

Because of the risk of damage, in handling the belt, you must NOT:

– back bend
– use as a chainwhip
– bundle
– crimp
– twist, or
– invert

ALIGNMENT

Alignment is critical. Hence, depending on the bike and setup, you may need to use spacers to ensure proper alignment. Noise, wear, or belt walk-off can be caused by sprockets that are out of alignment.

TENSIONING

Proper belt tension is needed for optimum operation of the Gates Carbon Drive system. However, for frames with vertical dropouts, changing a flat tire does not mean you need to retension your belt. Tensioning is easy with the Gates Carbon Drive iPhone app (available through iTunes). You can also use the Carbon Drive Krikit Gauge or ecotension tester (available in Europe). Low tension can cause the belt to skip, leading to decreased performance, while high tension can cause drag and unnecessary wear.

These tension recommendations provide a good starting point. However, you may need to adjust the value higher or lower to reflect rider size, gear ratios, or power placed on the pedals.

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