The Kalkhoff Endeavour 8 is in a kind of intermediate stage. This is because it was actually supposed to come complete with Gates' brand new, low-cost CDN belt version. However, it is not yet fully available. As an "everyman's belt", it should cause a sensation in the price segment below 1000 euros. The belt and drive pulleys have been completely redesigned for this purpose. There is no difference in functional principle to the CDX series, which is designed for maximum load. The dimensions and centre track groove have been adopted. However, on bikes that are not ridden 30,000 kilometres around the world, a light version with more economical use of materials and slightly lower durability makes perfect sense. For the time being, Gates is only supplying the belt: It has a diamond profile on the outside, the blue running-in layer on the inside is missing. The material is somewhat softer, but here too carbon fibre bundles ensure absolute tensile strength and zero elongation. On the Kalkhoff, the acceleration feels slightly softer than on the CDX. Here, the belt drives a simple Nexus 8 from Shimano with a revised control system. You shift down to lower gears under tension, release the Bowden cable to accelerate and a spring on the hub engages the higher gears. This is the same shifting direction and logic as with derailleur gears and the Alfine - the Nexus is crisp and shifts with much more definition. The Endeavour is a comfortable, robust tourer that is well suited to urban traffic and relaxed excursions. At just 999 euros, the bike can't set any weight records, but at 16.65 kilos it rolls smoothly and in a balanced manner. A solid eccentric on the bottom bracket guarantees simple tension adjustment for the belt. The frame is the same as that of the Raleigh brother next door. The inexpensive suspension fork, wheels and tyres make the Kalkhoff heavier, but also significantly cheaper.
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 2/2016. You can read the entire issue in the Trekkingbike app (iTunes and Google Play) or order the issue in the DK shop.
You can download the individual articles as PDF files here.
