They don't make bicycle chains the way they used to.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpson_Chain

#BikeTooter
Simpson Chain - Wikipedia

@nicd But they still make belts (and it seems like they are a few years older)!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt-driven_bicycle

Belt-driven bicycle - Wikipedia

@hxv Yeah, a belt bike would be interesting to try. The lack of maintanance is appealing, but I don't know what the reality is (especially in a place where snow, slush, rain, sand, and mud fly around half the year). I know there's one belt bike user who commutes to my office.
@nicd I'm not using it in such dire conditions, but after two years with no cleaning at all, everything works perfectly. I'm sure that if I had a chain instead, after that time it would be in bad condition (that is, if I would spend no time cleaning it).
@hxv Oh you have one? Cool!

I recall for a very short time Ikea used to make a bike with a belt drive and a 2-speed automatic gearbox (non-electrict). Sadly they recalled them all and I never bought one.
@nicd
Belts are superior in these conditions! While efficiency for chains decreases quite a lot with mud and the like a belt takes these conditions a lot better without much of drawbacks.
Drawbacks are mostly the weight and inferior range in ratio of gear hubs compared to derailleur gears.
Less maintenance and a subjectively smoother ride far outweigh these for me.
@hxv
@LukasZ @nicd Yup, internal gear hub can be a problem for some people. But I've got a 7-gear variant, and I'd probably be fine with event a lower count – I guess it all depends.
@hxv @LukasZ I just switched my regular bike from a 7 geared internal hub one to a 2x8 derailleur one, and getting more gear range was one of the reasons. :) For my commuter, which is an e-bike, this wouldn't be an issue. But I don't think anyone makes belt drive e-fatbikes.
@hxv @LukasZ Btw hey any Finns reading this, buy my bike! https://www.tori.fi/recommerce/forsale/item/6969968 :D
Tunturi Tango 28" 59cm (7-v Shimano Nexus)

Myydään 2000-luvun alkupuolen Suomessa valmistettu 28" miesten Tunturi Tango. Runkokoko 59 cm. Shimanon 7-vaihteinen Nexus-rumpuvaihteisto. Etujarru on heikko, vaatisi jonkinlaista säätöä, ainoastaan tämän vuoksi kunnoksi merkitty kohtalainen. Takana jalkajarru, edessä cantilever-vannejarru. Mukaan ajotietokone ja etutarakka (irrallisena). Heijastimet eteen, taakse ja etuvanteessa sivulle. Schwalbe Smart Sam -renkaat joilla ajettu pari kesää. Runkolukko. Myydään uuden pyörän oston vuoksi.

TORI.fi
@nicd I've got exactly that hub on my bike :D
@hxv I was considering changing to Shimano's 8-speed Nexus which has a greater range, but in the end I bought a totally new (used) bike which also fulfilled some other wishes I had.