Originally Posted by rudypyatt

I think I was derailing the 1x Climbers thread with remarks and questions about hybrid (hub gear plus cassette) drivetrains, so I figured I would start a new thread.

For decades, since at least the 1940s (someone from C&V please correct me if I’m wrong), Sturmey-Archer has offered geared hubs onto which you can thread additional cogs or cassettes. Currently, they offer three speed hubs for rim, disc, and drum brakes for which you can thread on any eight or nine speed cassette (smallest sprocket specified is an 11): All the advantages of a road or touring triple with a good chain line and no front derailleur.

Now Classified is making inroads to the racing peloton with its two speed hub, directly marketing its product to the high performance market.

What do you all think of these systems? They seem to solve one of the primary objections to hub gears, namely the wide steps between gears. Put on a close ratio cassette and the hub serves the same function as a front derailleur. Does anyone think these are a viable alternative to the now-common 1x 11 or 1x12?