Originally Posted by BengeBoy

Belt drives with integrated hubs are going to show up more and more for city bikes.

The ultra-expensive Rohloff hub is already on some high-end touring bikes (especially in Europe); but now Shimano is coming out with a competitor to the Rohloff that is about half the price. It's an Alfine hub with (I think) 11 gears, instead of the 8 that the Alfine has now.

In any case, here's a great execution of Rohloff with carbon belt drive on a sweet Co-Motion Americano touring frame -- $5,000:

http://www.co-motion.com/single_bikes/amerohloff.html

BTW, I'd *definitely* love to own a belt drive with IGH and even disc brakes -- would be a great winter commuting bike for me.

I have no concerns about the durability of the belt (made by Gates) -- belt drives get used in automotive, motorcycle and industrial applications that are hundreds of times more stressful than anything a cyclist can throw at them.