The derailleur may look ugly and complicated but we put up with that for the big advantage: simple, cheap, and it works. By "works" I mean it's easy to set up and then after that it just works right until it wears out or you replace cables. Not a lot of maintenance. Light weight comparatively. No worries really, if and when you need to replace it.

I understand not wanting one (single speeds are also an option) and I'm not trying to talk you out of an internal gear hub, but I just wanted to get the relative advantages out in the open for your consideration.