Belt-driven bicycle with a compact design that, like STRiDA, featured a belt drive. Other folding-bike manufacturers that have implemented a belt drive include U.S. company Bike Friday and Netherlands-based Bernds. In 2007, Gates Corporation developed a high-modulus synchronous belt and sprocket system called the Carbon Drive System. The belt’s pitch allowed for lower tension requirements to help prevent skipping. Lightweight, patent-pending sprockets have mud ports, openings under each tooth, which work to slough off debris. In 2009, an increasing number of bicycle companies, including Trek and "f"8 Cycles, offered belt-driven bicycles. While builders initially focused on single-speeds and internal hubs, in early
Trek Bicycle Corporation 3-tube carbon composite model, the 2500. Thus began Trek's foray into carbon fiber. That same year, to keep up with rapidly growing sales, Trek added another of manufacturing space to its Waterloo headquarters. In 1988 Trek introduced "Trek Wear," marking the company's entry into the cycling apparel business. A year later Trek expanded into foreign markets, opening subsidiary offices in the UK and in Germany. That same year Trek introduced its Jazz brand of bicycles, a collection of entry-level and kids’ bikes designed by Trek but manufactured in Taiwan. Jazz bicycles were discontinued in 1993. 1989 was a pivotal year