Originally Posted by
fuzz2050
tell that to the people in the SSFG forum. Derailer systems weigh substantially more, rob the system of a lot of efficiency due to chainline issues, and require much more maintenance.
The people on the ss/fg forum don't have the hills to climb than many of us do.
Sure a derailleur system adds complexity and weight but it also adds versatility that no ss can possibly have. As to mechanical efficiency, a clean derailleur system is 97-98% mechanically efficient so a ss/fg can't be a whole lot better.