Sturmey Archer hub questions

[FST4RD]

I have a '91 GT Pantera that I use as my daily commuter. I'm looking at making up something a bit different with it.
I've been looking at the new Sturmey Archer drum brake hubs and have a couple questions.
Do the 3 or 8 speed internal geared hubs have there own leverage pull ratio for the cable? Or are they the same as shimano or sram?
Are they ok for xc use? Or strictly road only?

 

[hamster]

They need their own special shifters. There are a few aftermarket ones which allow you the format of preference - there are even bar-end shifters.

Bearing in mind people use them for tandems, they will be fine off-road.

 

[FST4RD]

Re:

Nice.
I was thinking lacing up the hubs with 700c rims, drop bars, having the bike as a commuter that I can put cyclocross tyres on and rode the local xc tracks of I feel like it.
So a roadie brake/shifter would be awesome.

 

[hamster]

Here is the JTek bar-end one:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/jtek-8-speed ... prod19964/
and a Sturmey 3...
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/3-speed-stur ... prod24436/

 

[FST4RD]

Re:

I did see those. I just came across that website before.
Just need to decide if I go for the 3 speed or 8 speed... There's quite a price difference. Do I really need 8 gears?