{"id":1319,"date":"2025-07-07T01:48:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-06T23:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stromer-tech.info\/?post_type=ht_kb&p=1319"},"modified":"2026-04-03T12:37:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T10:37:49","slug":"comparison-costs-care-living-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/wp.stromer-tech.info\/en\/knowledge-base\/vergleich-kosten-pflege-lebenser-wartung\/","title":{"rendered":"Cost comparison \/ life expectancy \/ care & maintenance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Costs (comparison)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether belt or chain \u2013 opinions differ here. The preferred type of drive is probably a matter of taste, conviction, or practical experience.

Tristan Ridley describes his practical experience with chain and belt drives in a YouTube video with the provocative title \u201eChains are STILL better than Belts for Bicycles\u201c<\/a>. He describes why he switched back from the belt to the chain and why, through clever marketing by the belt manufacturers, the widespread myth of the supposedly superior performance of the belt drive is at least questionable.

However, very few daily commuters are \u201eTristan Ridleys,\u201c and the main goal is to get from A to B quickly, usually on good surfaces. The only questions that arise are about convenience (care, maintenance) and, if applicable, the cost of wear parts.

When comparing chain and belt drives, there is a clear winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Component<\/strong><\/th>Model<\/strong><\/th>Market price<\/strong><\/th>Electricity price<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Strap<\/strong><\/td>Gates CDX-133T<\/td>85 \u20ac<\/td>130 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Chain<\/strong><\/td>KMC e11 EPT<\/td>36 \u20ac<\/td>50 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Pulley (front)<\/strong><\/td>CT1139PBA<\/td>90 \u20ac<\/td>180 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Pulley (rear)<\/strong><\/td>CT1122SMN<\/td>85-90 \u20ac<\/td>120 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Chainring (e.g. ST3\/5)<\/strong><\/td>Gossamer 52T<\/td>-<\/td>58 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Sprocket (11-speed)<\/strong><\/td>Shimano 11 sprocket<\/td>from ~4 \u20ac<\/td>-<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Stromer price<\/strong>: Basis 2023
Belt specifications suitable for:<\/strong> ST2 \/ ST3 \/ ST5 \/ ST7 with Pinion gearbox<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Total costs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chain drive<\/strong>
Price basis = electricity price<\/th>		Belt drive<\/strong>
Price basis = electricity price<\/th>		Belt drive<\/strong>
Price basis = free market<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
128 \u20ac<\/td>430 \u20ac<\/td>265 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Replacement of the entire drive unit, assuming that the five smallest sprockets in the cassette are replaced.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the parts costs, there are labor costs of \u20ac80 \u2013 \u20ac150, depending on the workshop's hourly rate. The stromerforum.ch user Chnuke<\/a> reported that he paid CHF 484.50 (including labor) for the replacement of the entire belt drivetrain on his ST7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life expectancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So far, the belt drive doesn't look good in terms of cost. This is where the lifespan of the wear parts and maintenance come into play, which could turn the tables. Does it? Here's the relevant information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n