New old Brompton - naive new owner questions

[gom]

My sprinter hub was needing constant adjustment to get it to shift consistently, but since servicing last year it is very much improved.
Regarding 1st gear, it seems to me to make steep hills a little easier, but a choice of chainring making it little needed is best.

 

[Bromptonaut]

my original Brompton L5 came with a Sprinter hub… I have little good to say of it other than top gave a useful overdrive above a standard 3 speed. First gear seemed to be useless, adding an amount of friction to exactly offset any reduction in gear ratio.

Pretty close to my experience.

 

[TheDoctor]

IIRC the 5 speed SA hub started off as a hack of the 4 speed anyway.