Gates, a global leader in power transmissions, is challenging its bicycle belt drive system in UCI Downhill racing with teams such as Aon. The Aon team is riding Gamux, the Swiss mountain bike brand who has incorporated the system into its bikes since 2019. Both are on a mission to prove that belt drives can outperform traditional chains, even in the most challenging conditions.
The Gates Belt Drive is already known in urban, e-bike, and adventure cycling for its durability, silence, and low maintenance, but can it withstand the brutal demands of World Cup downhill racing? For Pascal Tinner, co-founder of Gamux and manager of its World Cup team, that question was more of an opportunity than a concern.
From racer to innovator
Tinner's journey into downhill racing began with a transition from alpine skiing. “Both my brother and I were ski racers before picking up bikes as a fun side activity,” he recalls. What began as a hobby in 2009 quickly escalated into a business venture. By 2014, Tinner and his brother had retired from racing professionally and instead shifted their energy into managing a World Cup team. By 2019, the brothers founded Gamux to push the limits of downhill technology.
Instead of designing a frame as a mere platform for off-the-shelf parts, we view the bike as a holistic system”
Collaborating with Gates
For Tinner, downhill racing isn’t about following tradition, it’s about challenging it. “You gain no competitive advantage by doing the same things as everyone else,” he explains. “Instead of designing a frame as a mere platform for off-the-shelf parts, we view the bike as a holistic system. That philosophy made the Gates Belt Drive an obvious choice for us.”
The belt replaces the traditional chain and derailleur with a carbon-fibre-reinforced, grease-free system that resists wear, reduces weight, and eliminates noise. For Tinner and his team, the advantages were clear:
1. The gearbox equipped bike felt more planted thanks to reduced unsprung mass
2. The drivetrain was quiet
3. Under sprinting loads, the belt proved more efficient than a chain, stretching less and delivering consistent power
“When we first tried the Gates Belt Drive paired with the Pinion gearbox, the difference was immediate,” Pascal recalls. “The bike felt more planted thanks to lower unsprung weight, and it was completely silent — no chain slap, no rattling, just smooth power.”
Maintenance made simple
For the Gamux team, every challenge was a chance to improve the system. The result? A drivetrain that not only meets the demands of downhill but surpasses conventional setups in reliability. Whilst most chains demand cleaning, lubrication, and frequent replacement, the Gates Belt Drive shrugs off mud and grit with a rinse.
“Just wash it,” Tinner laughs. “No oil, no grease, none of the usual maintenance hassles.” Belts last longer than chains, resist sudden load spikes, and require virtually no upkeep. That reliability translates into peace of mind for riders charging down technical courses, where a drivetrain failure can end a run in an instant.
The riding experience
For Tinner, the benefits extend beyond reduced upkeep. It’s about how the system transforms the ride itself. “It’s really the combination of the gearbox and belt together that makes the difference,” he explains. “Taking at least a pound off the rear axle and having the belt always perfectly aligned with the sprockets creates a more planted and efficient system. The rougher the track, the better it feels.”
Less maintenance, better suspension performance, and more time to focus on riding”
Less hassle, more ride
When asked to sum up the belt drive’s advantages, Tinner keeps it simple: “Less maintenance, better suspension performance, and more time to focus on riding.”
That clarity of purpose is what makes the Gates Belt Drive so compelling, not only for professional racers on the world stage but for everyday riders who simply want a smoother, quieter, and more reliable bike.
For Tinner and Gates, the journey is far from over. “The future excites me most,” Tinner concludes. “All the crazy, innovative, and sustainable ideas we can bring to life. That’s what keeps us going.”
This article is sponsored by Gates.
