Gates Sonic Tension Meter 550C
The Gates Sonic Tension Meter 550C determines the load and tension of your belt installation with high precision, by measuring the sound of the belt. It comes as a set in its own box with a carrying pouch.
Why choose this tool?
Measures by sound. A sonic meter reads the tension from the sound of the belt – no contact with the belt needed.
High precision. Gates describes it as showing the degree of load and tension with utmost precision.
A reading, not a colour. Gives you a measured value instead of a go/no-go result.
For belt installations. Made for checking belt drives such as Gates Carbon Drive.
What is in the set?
The set comes in the Gates 550C box with the handheld meter, its sensor and a pouch, as shown in the photo. Use the meter in a quiet place, because noise and voices can disturb a sonic measurement.
Which tension tool is right for you?
The 550C is a sonic meter for workshops that want measured values. The 350C is the other Gates sonic meter we sell; for a quick go/no-go check use the Spring Tension Tester.
Technical data
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Sonic belt tension meter |
| Model | 550C |
| Measures | Belt load and tension by sound |
| Made for | Workshops and assemblers |
Which Gates tool for which job?
| Gates tool | Job |
|---|---|
| Spring Tension Tester | Checks belt tension |
| Sonic Tension Meter 350C | Checks belt tension |
| Sonic Tension Meter 550C (this tool) | Checks belt tension |
| Belt Tension Meter PCE-BTM 2000 | Checks belt tension |
| Rear Belt Liner | Checks alignment |
| Laser Belt Liner V3 | Checks alignment |
| Frame Alignment Kit | Checks the frame |
| SureFit Tool | Fits sprockets |
| Strap Wrench | Removes sprockets |
| Locknut Tool for S550 | Fits sprockets |
| RDM Snubber | Protects the belt |
| Snubber Screw | Protects the belt |
| Snubber Spacer Kit | Protects the belt |
| Belt Care Silicone Spray | Cares for the belt |
| Tensioner Idler Wheel | Replaces a part |
Frequently asked questions
How tight should the belt be?
Correct tension matters. Too loose and the belt can skip teeth; too tight and it loads the hub bearings. Besides the tools here, the free Gates Carbon Drive app measures tension by sound, and a Gates Krikit gauge (the “CDS Krikit” with the blue plastic) is a physical gauge for riders and shops.
What is the difference between the 350C and the 550C?
Both are Gates sonic tension meters that read tension from the sound of the belt. Ask us which one suits your workshop and we will compare them with you.
Do I need special tools for a belt drive?
A belt drive needs far less than a chain, but the right tension and alignment matter. Gates offers tools for checking tension, checking alignment, fitting sprockets and protecting the belt – see the table above, and ask us which ones suit your bike.
How do I handle a Gates belt?
Do not twist, back-bend, crimp, invert, bundle or zip-tie the belt, and never use it as a strap wrench or pry it onto the sprockets. Do not lubricate it. Damage to the carbon cords is the most common reason for a belt to fail.
About Gates Carbon Drive
Gates Corporation has been a global leader in power transmission and belt drive technology since 1911. In 2007 it launched the first belt drive system for bicycles, and today more than 1,000 bike brands worldwide use Gates Carbon Drive, from city and trekking bikes to e-bikes, cargo and mountain bikes.
On the bike
