Following a trend we reported on some time ago, more and more chain-less bikes are being introduced into different segments in the bicycle industry. From big companies like Trek Bicycles to small ones like this latest introduction: Abio, companies are hoping the benefits will outweigh the “unique pedal feel” that a belt delivers.

Aibo introduced commuter-specific models to take advantage of the belt-drive bicycles reduced maintenance and greasy chain that keeps many of us from considering bicycles as legitimate alternative transportation. Belt-driven bicycles withstand the rigors of mountain biking so there is every reason to believe city streets won’t give the system any problems.

The squeak of a dry chain, the clatter of a chain against the steel/aluminum/carbon tubes of your bicycle frame, the ghost shifting for no good reason…chances are if you ride a bike, you’ve experienced at least two of these if not all three. There is a move afoot to change all that and it promises to mark a change in bicycle design that has stayed the same for almost a century.

Belts? Are you kidding me? Won’t they slip? What about mud? Stretch? Wear? It is never going to work.