I've got an Alfine 8 speed. I screwed up when I set the gearing up, concentrating on getting a sensible low and a top that made sense, and ignoring the 5-6 gap. It turns out I really want a gear right in the middle. Next spring, I'll change that, I suspect.

I got the bike together right at the end of last winter, so I've not ridden in the winter. But I really like it, for my commute, for general ridding around town running errands, and for reasonably long distance rides. I've got a pretty fred set up, with the gear hub, rack, fenders, dynamo hub and lights, so it's heavy, which I only care about when I have to carry it up or down the stairs at work.

I agree with modernjess about the shifting under load. I've got a versa brifter, which is okay, but not as nice as most derailleur brifters. My shift strategy is push till the click, then immediately slow the pedaling down. It's only about an 1/8 of a pedal stroke, but it's annoying, and there are some times when I don't want to let up, and so can't shift. If I were riding a cruiser, or riding like I were, or had some shifter that isn't as easy to work (like the jtek barend) I don't think I would be bothered by it as much.