"Giving up gear range compared to a triple derailleur setup or a wide range double. The Nexus 8/Alfine hub range is about 305% or about the same as a 11-34 casette on a single front chainring derailleur bike."
I'll have to beg to differ on this. Using Sheldon's gear inch calculator my triple ring commuter has a range of 30.6 inches - 107.0 inches. My Nexus 8 has a range of 33.5 inches - 102.6 inches. The Nexus has a lot more range than a single chainring/derailleur set up.