I've been searching and searching for someone who has bought a new Trek SOHO with belt drive. I think it would make the perfect all-weather commuter. I'd love to own one, but have never ridden one. It is less than $1000, so please buy it and report back! It has internal brakes, internal gears, fenders included, and braze ons for racks in the front and back, and the belt drive doesn't need grease and can't rust.

I currently own a steel frame touring bike. Frame rust is not an issue and the rim brakes work fine in the rain. I think any rim brakes would work OK when wet as long as you have alloy rims and good pads. I've been dreaming about the new Trek SOHO as a second bike for winter. I live in an area with lots of snow and winter salting. My current bike goes into storage in November and comes out in late March.