Fake Hobie mirage drive chains... FAILED!

It looks like Hobie mirage drive chains (for GT drive) currently sell for $65. I found these knock-offs that list for $40, and I might give them a try:

https://www.amazon.com/Mirage-Drive-Chain-Assembly-Kayaks/dp/B0BP1XKN6Y

Has anybody tried these, or have any cheaper alternatives to the real deal?

Edit: These failed completely after less than 10 miles of use! Do not buy them! For more info, see my post here:

https://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=102612.0

Looks legit.  Did you break a cable? There has got to be a DIY for this. Those are fairly simple parts. I bet the chain is the same dimensions as a bicycle chain, width and link length.

I've broken a few cables/shafts on mine - I think my next pedal kayak is going to have a propeller style drive.  Seems much simpler, and I bet easier on my damaged knees.

Does not look bad at all!  Let us know if they fall short later.

Looks like they make an idler cable as well.

Seller is in Singapore

Looks legit.  Did you break a cable? There has got to be a DIY for this. Those are fairly simple parts. I bet the chain is the same dimensions as a bicycle chain, width and link length.

I've broken a few cables/shafts on mine - I think my next pedal kayak is going to have a propeller style drive.  Seems much simpler, and I bet easier on my damaged knees.

I've never heard of the chains themselves breaking, but as you say, the cable eventually give way.

Stainless chain of the correct size is not hard to find, but I have not been able to figure out a way to attach it to something with 1/4" threads. If anybody has any ideas, a DIY solution would definitely be way cheaper even compared to the cheap knock-offs...

Looks like they make an idler cable as well.

I noticed that too, but I use a bungee cord for the idler, and can't see any reason to go back to a cable.

I used your bungie as a temp fix, but wasn't convinced that it gives full strength to the system. Isn't the idler cable there to equalize the pressure on the system?

A bungie will make the idler pulley turn, but the give/stretch in the cord won't equalize the way a stiff, non-stretchable cable does. By the fact that the cable snaps I think indicates that it is under power/transferring power. I was concerned with the temp fix that I was probably putting more strain on the main cables/chains by not equalizing through the idler cable.

But I could be wrong.

Thanks for the link either way --  the hobie versions are stupid expensive.

Cheers,
Brad

Yeah, the bungee itself held up fine, but my common fin shaft broke in between the fins. Not sure if that is related to the bungee or not. I do know that I stretched the bungee very tight before knotting it - there isn't much stretch left.

When my cable snapped, I saw that it the outer coating had cracked and then the cable itself had rusted through.  I contributed the failure more to that than to stress, but was probably both factors.

Just curious though, those non hobie drives that are out on the market...aren't those V1 drives? I know V2 drives had slightly different cables.

Drums are different for sure on V1 vs V2.  Is the GT a V2?

Just curious though, those non hobie drives that are out on the market...aren't those V1 drives? I know V2 drives had slightly different cables.

That’s a good question. The V2 and GT use the same length cables, but V1 are different (shorter, as I recall). I’d be very surprised if these fakes are not V2, as that’s mostly what is out there, and I’d also bet that all of the knock-off drives use the V2 length. As I understand it, the shorter length of V1 put more stress on the cables (so they broke more often), and that’s why Hobie developed the V2 (and kept it the same for GT).

Btw, here’s a side-by-side comparison of V2 and GT…

Drums are different for sure on V1 vs V2.  Is the GT a V2?

I believe V2 and GT have same design so replacement parts are the same.

Drums are different for sure on V1 vs V2.  Is the GT a V2?

I believe V2 and GT have same design so replacement parts are the same.

The spine, chains, crank arms, and such are the same. But anything that has roller bearings in the GT drive is different.

I went ahead and ordered a pair of those China-compatible chains. With shipping and tax, they’re $48 each, so not really that great of a bargain. They won’t get here for at least a month. When I get them, I’ll post a report…