Sweet choice, you glorious bastard! I was eyeing that one myself but unfortunately they don't import it here (got a German Cube instead). The only reservation I would have is the drum brake in the rear. Hopefully someone with experience can chime in. The only other reservation is the obvious one with a cutting edge bike that repairs could be expensive. Probably not a problem in the states where they're more accustomed to the latest kit. Although I've only a month of experience with the Alfine 8 I think that it would be more than sufficient for most commuters even with a few steep hills. The lowest gear feels is no more effort than walking with my loaded bike. The highest gear gets me over 20mph. Changing gears is buttery smooth with the benefits of shifting after a sudden stop or at the lights. Good luck on your decision!