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Funny, I have a 7 speed nexus in bits by the bed and I'm pretty sure I just used cone spanners to take it apart, fairly normal tools for a hub, no?
The 7 speed was draggy, but only because the previous owner left it in his garden for a year. The 8 speed Alfine on my genesis is if anything less draggy than the three speeds I've owned on both the charge steamer and the slightly older monach.
Meh, just personal opinion. I don't find maintainence an issue for any of them, that's why I like them (and fixed even more)... Just prefer my 8speed Alphine to the 3 speeds I've owned.
7 & 8 spd Nexus are draggy and hard to maintain: special tools needed to strip down, no spares available only a complete internal, expensive grease or oil dip, plus less reliable than the old three speeds as tend to take in water, I am on my second 8 spd one. 8 spd Alfine better. 11 spd Alfine seems to be even less reliable judging by what is reported on the net, though maybe less drag due to oil lube.
What have you got against the toggle chain? It is very robust and trouble free and is a design that has been around since 1902 on millions of bikes across the world. It does stick out slightly but what problem does that actually cause seeing as you can throw it down on the ground repeatedly without problem, as every kid in the 60s and 70s knew.