Originally Posted by
bikebikebike
There is a S-A 122mm 8 speed,
http://www.sturmey-archer.com/files/...0S80%20(W).pdf
which would do this proud. 16 spoke hubs would require creative spoking of 32 hole rims. and 1gear is the 1:1 giving need for BIG front chainwheel
3spd hubs are pretty limiting on 16"rims
i use sa xrf8 hub on dahon curve(16" folder).
opossed as you say, the first gear is direct drive, so it must me the lightest.
i use the standard front chainwhell(45t) and the standard sprocket that cames with hub(25t) witch gives me gear ratio of 24" to 78".
if you want go fast and dont care for low gears you can gear down the hub to go up to 110" on gearing.