Hi all,

Been trying to commute to work 1-2x a week on my 2009 Trek Remedy 7 (set up for rough stuff) or my 2004-5 Giant Iguana Disc (with commuter tyres). Commute is:

1. 5 mins downhill on the way to work in an urban setting, with disc brakes burning hot to the touch afterward due to traffic and traffic lights

2. 30-32 mins (8.5km-ish, time depends on how heavy my backpack is) 90-93% uphill on the way back with 20-50% gradients along the way.

I think however that I want something which is a bit lighter and faster than both so that I get out a bit more on the road to improve my fitness. This includes more solo riding, more commuting, and not ending up so far behind a mate of mine on his S-Works (he's not a roadie as I met him MTBing, but he just has a road bike). Some of the planned road rides are around maybe 80% uphill (20-60% gradient), including riding to the boathouse for rowing. Sometimes I do 40km on relatively flat and straight rolling ground, which is when I get left for dead by roadies.

No weather concerns apart from occasional torrential rain and intense heat and humidity. So no snow, etc. (weather from 5-34 degrees Celsius depending on time of year). Fenders not essential as, quite frankly, I can always take a cab/bus if it's chucking down.

Criteria are:

- Faster and lighter than current bikes (not difficult).
- Stronger than your stereotypical racer frame, as there are a fair number of potholes on the roads, so I don't want something featherweight and fragile.
- Disc brakes, or disc brake mounts to deal with the downhills on the way to work
- (If possible) Gates Belt Drive system for less maintenance.
- (If possible and especially with the Belt Drive) Internal geared hub, preferably something like the Alfine 11 or Rohloff for less maintenance. Would want a higher-end model than Alfine 8 since I need lower ratios to sit and spin.
- (If possible) Rack/fender mounts in case I decide to take it touring eventually.

Thinking currently of something like a CX bike with disc brakes/mounts would be a good option. Budget up to US$4000-4500, and while I don't mind spending more as long as it fits well and lasts a LONG time, though obviously the cheaper the better. Currently looking at the following, based on a few Google searches and speaking to my LBS:

Road/CX-type bikes
- Ventana El Martillo custom build
- Trek District/District Carbon with IGH build (may be difficult as IGH availability seems lacking)
- Santos (race bikes have both Rohloff and Gates)
- Bianchi CX custom build
- Genesis Day One (interesting CX bike with IGH, main question is belt drive compatibility)
- Parlee (any model, but obviously the cheaper the better as long as it fits some of the criteria - though doubt they have disc brake mounts)
- On-One Pompetamine Alfine-11 (has disc brakes, no drop bars? May have to see if can fit drop bars)
- On-One Pompetamine Versa (has drop bars, but no belt drive?)
- Civia Bryant Belt Alfine (belt drive, but Alfine 8 only)
- Chiru (local brand, just saw their first road bike the other day, unsure about belt/IGH compatibility)

More traditional commuter-type bikes
- Spot Acme (Alfine 11 with new Gates Center-Track system)
- Spot Coyote Belt
- Surly Cross Check custom build
- Brodie Once (Alfine 11)
- Co-Motion Cityview (Alfine 8 or 11 and Gates, but very commuter-like posture)
- Norco Judan Belt (MTB, belt, no IGH)
- Norco Ceres (commuter-style MTB, belt, 8-speed IGH, available with 11-speed)
- Trek FX series (though am told unlikely to be able to fit a belt drive/IGH system)

As I have the Giant, I'd probably want to go for a more aggressive road-style geometry this time around. I'm 5' 9"-ish and weight ranges from 178-198lbs (more toward the latter, sadly!).

Having said that, I am open to almost anything. Don't mind the material as I've ridden steel and alu in the past. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.