I don't have near the experience some of these guys have but I do have two bikes with old sturmey 3 speed hubs. One has multiple chainrings. In both cases the hubs are terrific. Very efficient in any gear and the best coasting hubs I ever ride. That sturmey click is such a pretty sound. My supercourse has 40.5-54-72 gearing and while that seems low it sure makes hills easy. My competition has a 21 on the hub with 26-40-46 on the crank. Have to be careful about the really low gears. The hub has limitations but it's a great system.
Competition
Supercourse