Originally Posted by 6milebiker
Chains and derailleurs cause some problems. Therefore somebody invents shaft drive for bicycles.
Shaft drives eliminate any possibility for cog based gearing. Therefore, shaft systems use expensive hubs.
But here is the catch-22. Those expensive hubs work more efficiently with bike chains. And the hubs get rid of all the messiness of front and rear derailleurs.
So, if you are going to use an expensive hub for variable gearing, you SHOULD be using a chain since it is more efficient.
Shafts will NEVER be accepted on wide basis on bikes.