Yeah, I'm oscillating between that and that.

http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm

+ internal hub.

From the looks of it, only the sturmey archer 3 speed has a thumb shifter. The others from SRAM only have grip shifters. Plus, the 3 speed is cheaper, and hopefully more reliable.

Basically, I'm thinking I'd order the Kilo TT whenever it's available (perfect in many ways: holes for rack + fenders, 46t crank, 36 hole rim to match the IGH) and all I'd have to do would be to order brakes + the internal hub.

I'd use it like a city single speed bike. That means I'd probably ride it hard. I've heard that in general it's a bad idea to put too much strain on IGH's? Or could it handle it?