Originally Posted by Rowan

I also can't help but think the the 1x systems are some feeble attempt to "match" Rohloff's popularity, especially in the European market where internally geared hubs are more frequently fitted to bikes. That darned derailleur keeps getting in the way, though.

But I can see in maybe a decade that all derailleur systems will be replaced by internally geared hubs and this is just the softening up process in the long-term strategy. And to accommodate the cost, we'll be paying double to cover the production costs.

SS and FG do have their attractions...