I actually rode it the other day, I don't really like deraileurs. I've been a single-speed rider my whole life, and internal hubs are more my style of ride. I don't need 21 or 27, 8 or 9 is plenty, they're contained, and they keep the look clean!

I picked up the Hamilton for $367, what a deal. My plan is to invest now in a new wheelset with the Alfine hub, slowly upgrade parts as I can afford to, and then get the Karate Monkey frameset sometime next year and swap all the parts over and return the Hamilton to a stock fixie.

Thanks everyone for your feedback, it's been very helpful.