Hybrid Bicycles - Belt-driven hybrids with hydraulic brakes

Hi. I'm gonna buy a hybrid bike sometime soon and I'm looking for the perfect one for me. A suspensionless bike with an internal-gear hub and good hydraulic disc brakes is what I am looking for. All-weather use and low maintenance are important to me. I would also prefer the bike to have a belt instead of a chain.

So far I've found a few candidates:

Charge Mixer (http://www.chargebikes.com/products/bikes/detail2.php?id=28) (cons: rather heavy because of the steel frame)

Scott Sub 10 (http://www.scott-sports.com/gb_en/product/9105/45253/sub_10) (cons: chain instead of a belt)

Kona Dr. Fine (http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=drfine) (cons: chain instead of a belt)

Mongoose Sabrosa Ocho (http://www.mongoose.com/isl/eng/mtn/Products/Mountain-Urban/Commuter/Details/2840-M10SABO-Sabrosa-Ocho) (cons: chain instead of a belt)

Are there any bikes in this price range (up to around $1000) I should be aware of?

What is so wrong with a chain that you do not want one?
Doesn't a belt have more friction and thus more resistance?

What is so wrong with a chain that you do not want one?
Doesn't a belt have more friction and thus more resistance?

To quote an article I read about carbon belts vs. chains (which might be wrong, I'm no expert): The many benefits of a belt – nearly impossible to break or cut, long life, no grease, easier on pants legs, no rust, no stretching, low maintenance...

If belts have more friction, then I might be more inclined to get a chain instead. I also just learned that internal-hub gears have a bit of extra friction, making them less efficient than derailleurs, so...

From what I hear, the biggest downside of internal geared hubs vs, derailleurs is the additional weight and not so much added friction. Belt drives seems to be a great improvement over chains. The only downside is that you can't use belt drive with derailleurs.

I wouldn't buy an IGH bike unless it had belt drive, but to be honest, if I needed another bike, I'd probably choose a chain drive w/ traditional external gear shifting mechanisms. The belt drive is very appealing to me though, the IGH, not so much, though IGHs have advantages as well. I'm a bit of a "weight weenie" I guess. (Overly concerned with the weight of my bike and it's components.)

Sorry to post a reply that doesn't address your question. I just wanted to encourage you to choose a belt drive model should you decide on an IGH bike. My advice is based on little knowledge and no experience with this technology, so take it with a grain of salt. :o

I shopped extensively for a belt driven, IGH bike and ended up with a Norco Ceres, which I am digging. There are a couple belt/IGH/hydro-disc combos available but not even close to $1,000.

Justiss

I test rode a Sub,didn't care for the alloy fork. The Mongoose also has one,but those fat tires should compensate. I own a Dew Deluxe,basically the same frameset as the Dr Fine,and really like it. Without a Charge to test ride,I'd recommend the Kona.

Probably out of the price range, but Raleigh has a belt drive/disc brake model that also has a dynohub: http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/hybrid/alley-way/?page=overview