This Wreckage

Trek 1 District Equipped Lowstep - at trekbikes dot com. I'd post a photo but there seems to be a ban.

About £950. I doubt anyone here has used this bike, but they might have used a similar Trek model. It's a lot of money for me. My current basic hybrid bike needs a lot of work (and will always need more) which I'd have to pay a shop to do, as I'm naturally unskilled at maintenance and repairs no matter how I try. I'd love a good bike that is low maintenance. I'm 57, moderately fit and this would likely be my final bike I hope, so I can justify breaking my piggy bank for it. I ride mostly in town, a little in countryside, and I value reliability far more than anything else in a bike. If someone would provide an opinion I'd be grateful, as there are many much cheaper bikes and I don't want to spend more than I must.

It has 7 hub gears, roller brakes and weighs 18kg. The top of the range version (£1550) has belt drive which looks fabulous. Would it be?

hokiefyd 

Here's a link to this bike on Trek's website

Unfortunately, this bike is probably unfamiliar to many of us, but seems to be uniquely suited for the environment you're in, presumably in the British Isles somewhere. The internal brake hubs and dynamo front hub will make it well suited for riding in adverse conditions often found in your area (wet roads, shorter days in the winter, etc.), and I think this model (the District) is generally intended as a commuter/city bike, equipped with lights and a chain guard and mudguards. The relatively high price of the bike reflects the cost of all those items included on the bike at retail vs. you having to add them later.

If you don't need those all-weather components, you could consider something like an FX Stagger, which has a lower top tube than the traditional model, and does not have the all-weather accessories the District has. The FX line has a conventional chain-and-derailleur drivetrain, external brakes (disc or rim), and a lower starting price.

I think it probably depends on just what you want from the bike. The FX will be lighter weight and easier to move about. The District will probably feel much heavier, closer to a motor scooter than a bicycle. But, the all-weather components on it might be just what you're after, depending on how and where you ride.

This Wreckage

Lots of people are telling me this bike is really heavy. I'm not sure that's the case as much as they claim. I looked online and most hybrid bikes seem to be at least 14kg, and the top of range Trek (£1550) with hydraulic disc brakes and belt drive is about 15kg. As for motor scooters, I looked at those for comparison - a Honda electric is 95kg; a Vespa internal combustion is 158kg. So, not really. I'm sure there are lighter bikes, but they seem to have the standard unprotected chain and gears which seem to my eyes to be rather old-fashioned and inherently prone to attracting road dirt that damages the components. Aren't there better designs in 2023?

You are spot on about the weather here in the UK, which is why I want a bike that is protected from it. I'm just fed up with constantly oiling, adjusting (making it worse) and cleaning these exposed parts.

veganbikes

A IGH bike without a belt drive is just silly to me. The bike overall isn't great but isn't terrible but will suffer from the TREK logo tax. The District 3 or 4 looks like a much better bike you still suffer from the logo issue but is decent for the price. A fully enclosed chain case means I cannot lubricate the chain easily and if I get a flat I am probably going to be walking it to a shop rather than fixing it myself or will be spending quite a bit of time trying to take it apart and put it back together. Yes it keeps you a little cleaner and the chain is less exposed but a belt solves all the problems no mess at all and no lubrication and potentially an easier time taking out the rear wheel. Plus with Gates, they have excellent support and the stuff lasts a long time so you spend less in the long term.

Disc brakes, IGH with Belt drive and a dynamo is a good set up for commuting so look for stuff like that and you can probably find quite a bit over there vs. here. I remember the Focus Urban which we had in states before they left back to Europe and I know there are some good touring/trekking bikes over there that would fit the bill that aren't Trek.

hokiefyd 

Do you have access to Priority bikes in the UK?

https://www.prioritybicycles.com/

They're a popular belt drive bike in North America, and might tick a lot of your boxes, but I'm not sure of their distribution.

To be sure, a Trek District won't truly be as heavy as a motor scooter (that was a bit of hyperbole), but it might feel like one in terms of handling. It will likely feel a little more sluggish and lethargic than a lighter bike would (it doesn't take a lot of weight to really change how the bike feels to ride).

This Wreckage

Oh, those are well above my price range, whether they are distributed in the UK or not. Belt drive is attractive as a concept, but most of the bikes I see are extremely expensive.

poiuyt

May I suggest this one, in the same price range than the Trek, but better equipped: a belt, hydraulic disc brakes and no front suspension (that are over rated for comfort anyway, to my opinion):

https://www.gazellebikes.com/en-gb/esprit-belt

This Wreckage

Thank you, that looks pretty good.