So says Frank Berto in his 'Dancing Chain' book. In reality, one could buy IGH equipped cycles by the early 1880s and by the time derailleur drive trains were developed enough in France to be considered a robust, reliable system for general use (late 1920s), racers and cycle tourists in Germany and Great Britain had been riding 2, 3 and four speed IGHs - that were in some respects better than the ones you can buy today - for a quarter century.