I've got the XFDD Front Hub and its great. Brake performance and modulation couldn't be better and the adjustment is about as simple as it gets.

My only gripe (and you can't really see it in the picture there) is the huge (nearly 10") black control arm that runs up the left hand side of the front fork. From the non-drive side its ugly as sin.

If the new Sturmey 8-speed uses the same drum brake as the XFDD I'd be all over it. Sure its a little heavier with the drum brake but you get a great clean look with no calipers and Wet Braking Performance is simply a non-issue.