I happened across a Focus Urban 3 in a store. I liked it a lot, but 3 gears isn't enough for me. When I got back home I went looking online and found the Urban 8, which is essentially the same except with a 8-gear hub and belt drive (the 3 has a standard chain). The only thing I don't like is that the 3 has a much more attractive hue, but then I've always been function-over-form so this particular problem I can ignore.

What's your opinion on Focus bikes in general and the Urban 8 in particular? I'm a sucker for alternative gadgets and a belt-drive, gear-hub bike attracts me a lot. I can't actually afford either bike right now (the 3 is sold for a clean thousand euro here, and the 8 is probably a few hundred more), but I'm looking for opinions just in case I can in the near future.

Cool-looking bike. We don't see many Focus bikes here in the US, but I think they're a solid brand... based in Germany? Not sure.

See Focus road bikes all the time, they are gorgeous road bikes. Very well built.

Is there any way to know the gear ratios of the 3 and 8? I can't find this particular piece of data on Focus' site.

How expensive are belts for bicycles, and where could I get them? Online shopping is perfectly OK, but I'm in Italy. I ask because chains are cheap and you can pretty much find them in department stores, but belts aren't quite so widespread, and I'm worried I might find myself without a spare if the existing one breaks (or someone cuts it).

Poking around the interweb I think the 3 uses a SRAM hub and the 8 of course is an alfine.
The 3 speed gears give about 180% range, the 8 is over 300%.

As I imagined. I'd have trouble going from my existing three-chainring gearset to a 180% hub. 300% is much more appealing.

Anything about the belt?

Bumpty bump!

The shop just discounted the Urban 3 down to 720 euro. I must say I'm tempted. At worst I could always swap the hub and shifter and get an 8-speed Urban3 for not much more money (certainly a lot less than the Urban 8). I dig the 8's belt drive though...

What would you do?

Edit: just found out they're called differently here - the Urban 8 is the "Planet TR 2.0", the 3 is the "Planet TR 4.0".