Hello friends,

I decided to buy a belt drive cycle with an internal gear hub (Alfine or Nexus).

My max budget is around $2,000. I'm looking for a light and beautiful cycle. However, it seems the range of choices is not very wide. Brillant Train? Bad Boy I? Schindelhauer ludwig?

Precision: I'm french but I live in Florida (no climb except the many bridges...)

Do you have please some suggestions? Thank you very much! Marc.

I would consider THIS one, which is just a bit over your budget. I've got the non-belt-drive close equivalent (Verge S11i) which is now 9 years old with over 10,000 miles on it. There's probably a premium on the S8i because it is a folder, which is a feature you may not need. I've been very happy with mine in routine commuter use; I've done a couple Centuries on it as well.

Have you considered a belt drive with a pinion crank? Pinion is by far better than Shimano's offerings in terms of quietness, range of gears (600%) and the lowest maintenance of any IGH. Downsides are it's really designed for flat bars, it is about 800g heavier than a normal crank system, and more expensive. If you are in the US, look at Priority Cycles via Costco, which has discounts on the Priority bikes, which have both Alfine and Pinion options, under and over your budget.

Hello Friend
Why have you decided to buy a belt drive bike ?
Is this going to be your first bicycle ?
Cheers !

Hi Sweeks, thank you but I'm not looking for a folding bike. Did you see the weight? 25KG! :-)

I tried one and I love the belt system: smoothy and very clean.

No, I had many bicycles.... Thanks. Cheers!

Why not? It's a good idea. Thanks.

Then you might consider converting one of your bikes, looks like it's possible with this split belt system ?

Haha you won't regret getting a Pinion, but the Priority bicycle isn't the best built but the cheapest option for a Pinion bike, other than a Waltly custom, which adds another layer of complexity.
Just be careful, once you go IHB, you won't go back! haha
I just borrowed a Classified hub bike to try for a week. To see if I want to upgrade my Dogma to that system. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

Hi friends, finally, I'm going to order a Schindelhauer Ludwig VIII. I love this bike. A work of art in my eyes :-). Unfortunately, there are none available in USA. I found one in France. The ship to Florida is less than expected (around $180).
I'd like to store it in my living room but my wife doesn't agree... :-)

Thank you.

I found a 2010 Trek Soho on Craigslist for $300.

I know you could afford a lot more, but it seems like a good disc-brake, factory-fendered, belt-drive, 8-speed IGH commuter. Find another one the right size and save your money for tires.

Thank you. You're right, $300 for a Treck, it's a very good deal!

Check out the thread I started about my belt drive bike:

My nearly maintenance free new bike

Still loving it!

Schindelhauer certainly do make nice looking bikes. I was looking at their Wilhelm Pinion some years back. However, I wanted something lighter and better riding than aluminum for my touring/commuter bike. The Ludwig has rim brakes too, which to me, in a place like FL where drivers are inconsiderate at best, the stopping power of disc is essential, imho.