Roadster v2 belt adjustment issues

DavidD

DavidD

New Member
Region
USA
I just purchased a Roadster v2 and have put about 50 miles on it. I'm a larger rider and put quite a bit of force on the pedals when pedaling uphill. At first, I noticed the popping/slipping when trying to go uphill, so I tightened the tension. I made adjustments to it several times until I could make it up some fairly steep hills without noise or slipping from the belt. Soon after, however, I've noticed a clicking in the belt. If I back off the tension, no more clicking however I get the slipping/popping on hills.

Does anyone have any advice for this?
 
Ute4492 said:
I also have a Roadster v2. Purchased last January. Same issue with mine.
Had a hard time finding the correct tension. Finally purchased a Gates tension tool.
I set mine 45 pounds. Seems to have solved the problem.
Good luck.

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Click to expand...
Just ordered the tool! Thanks for the tip. Will report back.
 
DavidD said:
Just ordered the tool! Thanks for the tip. Will report back.
Click to expand...
Some adjustment tips.
A bike stand that will hold the bike off the ground is most helpful.
You need to turn the crank several rotations after each adjustment to get an accurate reading.
Try to take the measurement in the middle between the rear axle and the front crank. Measure from the same spot each time.
Make equal adjustments on both sides.
Hope this helps.
 
Ute4492 said:
Some adjustment tips.
A bike stand that will hold the bike off the ground is most helpful.
You need to turn the crank several rotations after each adjustment to get an accurate reading.
Try to take the measurement in the middle between the rear axle and the front crank. Measure from the same spot each time.
Make equal adjustments on both sides.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Thanks much! I would assume this could also be accomplished flipping the bike over onto the seat and bars.
 
Ute4492 said:
Some adjustment tips.
A bike stand that will hold the bike off the ground is most helpful.
You need to turn the crank several rotations after each adjustment to get an accurate reading.
Try to take the measurement in the middle between the rear axle and the front crank. Measure from the same spot each time.
Make equal adjustments on both sides.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Got my tension tool. Adjusted to 45lbs. Here's a video of the clicking I get in the belt drive when tension is around this high. It's really more of a knocking. Can't really pin down what's causing it.
 
DavidD said:
Got my tension tool. Adjusted to 45lbs. Here's a video of the clicking I get in the belt drive when tension is around this high. It's really more of a knocking. Can't really pin down what's causing it.
Click to expand...
That's very odd. The belt set at 45lbs should not be a problem. The specs on the ride1up website say between 45 and 50.
Would definitely send the video to ride1up support. Perhaps they can diagnose the problem.
Sorry to hear about the issue you are having with your bike.
If you find what the problem is please post.
Good luck.
 
Ute4492 said:
That's very odd. The belt set at 45lbs should not be a problem. The specs on the ride1up website say between 45 and 50.
Would definitely send the video to ride1up support. Perhaps they can diagnose the problem.
Sorry to hear about the issue you are having with your bike.
If you find what the problem is please post.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
I opened a ticket with their support earlier and already got a reply however I don't think he actually read my problem or watched the video unfortunately and just told me "sounds like the belt needs more tension" and sent me the article about adjusting the tension. I replied and explained the higher the tension the worse the knocking gets. I feel like the rear cog is possibly the culprit however I don't have a tool for taking that off. I'm pretty comfortable with doing all my bike work (I did a bbshd mid drive conversion last year and it's still great, just wanted the Roadster for more of an exercise oriented bike) but I've never worked on belt drives.
 
Can you disconnect the belt from chainring and cog, then try pedaling the crankset both directions and spin the wheel both directions? My thought is to identify the source of the sound first.
 
drewberz said:
Can you disconnect the belt from chainring and cog, then try pedaling the crankset both directions and spin the wheel both directions? My thought is to identify the source of the sound first.
Click to expand...
Yep, I've got the wheel off now. Cranks have no noise. The rear cog doesn't really have the noise under zero tension either. I feel like the noise occurs around as little as 20-30lbs of tension.
 
DavidD said:
Yep, I've got the wheel off now. Cranks have no noise. The rear cog doesn't really have the noise under zero tension either. I feel like the noise occurs around as little as 20-30lbs of tension.
Click to expand...
I wonder if it's an alignment issue. Can you double check the tension screws and make sure they are equally screwed in?

Seems too premature for the belt to go bad, even if you are applying a lot of force. Also possible but unlikely it was a bad belt to begin with. Guessing you don't have a spare belt to try with and eliminate the belt as the issue?
 
drewberz said:
I wonder if it's an alignment issue. Can you double check the tension screws and make sure they are equally screwed in?

Seems too premature for the belt to go bad, even if you are applying a lot of force. Also possible but unlikely it was a bad belt to begin with. Guessing you don't have a spare belt to try with and eliminate the belt as the issue?
Click to expand...
I've paid careful attention to make sure the wheel is equally spaced between the chain stays and have made equal adjustments on each side. Nothing comes close to rubbing either on the frame or my brake pads.

I don't have a spare belt, but since this appears to just be an automotive belt I could pick one up.
 
FYI, just had my first belt break at almost 5000 miles and 1+ year on my Roadster v2. Not from wear really, but from me overusing and overloading it I think. No fault of theirs. I had started to hear some noises and creakiness, but I ignored it.

I've been doing a lot of motor off riding, and specifically climbing major hills with the motor off (using arm and leg strength), in my quest for building strength. So my fault for using it in a non-typical way. Also doing 7500+ ft elevation gain rides, and 60-100 mile rides.

Got a replacement from Ride1UP for $50 + shipping/tax, and all is good now with the best bike ever 😀
 

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PSm said:
FYI, just had my first belt break at almost 5000 miles and 1+ year on my Roadster v2. Not from wear really, but from me overusing and overloading it I think. No fault of theirs. I had started to hear some noises and creakiness, but I ignored it.

I've been doing a lot of motor off riding, and specifically climbing major hills with the motor off (using arm and leg strength), in my quest for building strength. So my fault for using it in a non-typical way. Also doing 7500+ ft elevation gain rides, and 60-100 mile rides.

Got a replacement from Ride1UP for $50 + shipping/tax, and all is good now with the best bike ever 😀
Click to expand...
Why not a gates carbon belt over the stock?
 
There is a slight difference apparently, in sizing, between the Gates and Top Trans belt. So there might need to be some others mods required to do that. Reality is that the Top Trans belt is fine. If I didn't overstress the belt (by riding a fully loaded 42+ lb bike, up 10% inclines, with motor off ... and many other rides with lowest assist level, up 10+% grades), I'm guessing the belt would easily last 10000 miles for more normal use.
 
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