Mrs J’s commuter is due to be replaced. I want her to have a hub gear for ease of maintenance.

Anything worth looking at sub £500?

There is this Norco on Evans, but I’d prefer discs at both ends:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/indie-nexus-8-2015-hybrid-bike-ec075294

There doesn’t seem to be a lot under £500 with hub gears and disc brakes to be honest! It makes that Norco look like a bit of a steal. There’s a nice looking Cube on CRC for £679 though

Aye. That Cube looks nice – I’m not 100% taken with the belt drive though.

Yeah, I’ve never tried a belt drive myself. Would your missus be happy with just the three gears?

Vitus

That vitus looks interesting and TBH she probably could manage with only 3 gears. Bargain price too. I’m sorely tempted to just buy one – if she doesn’t like it, I’ll use it!

Ive got a belt drive its great. Silent and clean and zero maintenance

Seriously, go Dutch. 3 or 7/8 speed hub, roller brakes, dynamo, mudguards, lights, propstand and a full chain case. It’s almost like they’d been refining the design for decades.