The new Sturmey Archer 5 speed wide range hub has the same ratios as the AW plus a super low and a super high. The gearing is:
1 ----0.62
2-----0.75
3-----1.00
4-----1.33
5-----1.60
I've ridden this about seven miles so far, so I'm not going to present myself as an exert yet! But my initial reaction is that the gears are too far apart. That is, I really miss the close ratios of my Sturmey Archer 8 speed hubs. I'm sure I'll get used to it, though. Photos to follow!
Those might be the same ratios as the old SA 5-speed hub. And I have the same complaint about it that I do about the AW. I think the better condition you are in, the closer you want your ratios to be. I'm in pretty good shape, and those steps are annoying. When I shift down, I don't want to slow down that much. So the only way to adapt is to either (1) not shift down and pedal harder when the going gets a little tough or (2) shift down and reduce speed more than I want to. Usually I would do #2, which means a net slowdown.
What are the ratios of 8-speed hubs?