I've got an AW and it works great but, I am itching to try out a newer SRF3. I have sampled a Nexus 3 speed on a share bike and it was, excellent. But I don't know what the drag is on the Nexus 3 compared to an older AW. I have heard good things about the Alfine 8 speed and would love to sample one.

If this is for a bike that already had a AW three speed [MENTION=159629]Steel Charlie[/MENTION] , I would continue using an AW. No worries about trying to make a newer hub with a wider over-lock-nut dimension fit an older frame. Parts are available for the AW, they are simple to rebuild if ever needed and maintenance is a cinch. A couple of drops of oil every now and again and it will last another 50 or more years.