Eak sorry dude, I didnt notice the belt drive, I just saw the nexus three speed and figured that it would be a chain. I dont know much about belts but a chain just is not that much trouble maintain. If the belt snaps or something then you cant just pick up a new one anywhere. I dont like bikes that use non-standard parts.

I really dont know the GT line very well but after looking through there sight I change my vote for this: Either the GT Traffic 3.0 or 4.0
http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa/eng/Bi...F3-Traffic-3.0

They both look like much better commuters than the other two your were looking at. No suspension, slimmer but comfortable tires with less rolling resistance, a spot for a rear rack (which are very cheap) and the 4.0 cost less than both the models you were looking at. The GT is almost identical except for a few bits to my first "real" bike, a Giant FCR3. That was a great bike, and still is I might add but it has been bumped down as my secondary steed once I got my LHT!

Hope this helps.