Originally Posted by bkrownd
What are you talking about? It doesn't take ANY "advanced skill level" to operate a rear derailleur! The thing is brain-dead simple to shift, and with a single chainring there's no possibility of cross-chaining. Shift up, shift down, totally reliable. I haven't adjusted the rear derailleur on my commuter bike in over a year. I don't know how many years my Trek 820 went without any adjustment.
Who mentioned "operating" of a derailer?? Sure, I know that makers make them 'brain dead' simple
to use. The issue that you missed is when the DON'T work 'brain dead" simple. Besided, YOUR
experience with derailers is really a one in a billion not reflecting anything BUT your experience.
For Joe Average's (who by the way this thread is all about) see a derailer (on average) and think......
Crap! I don't want to mess with that damn thing! Then many will (maybe) see a hub gear and think.....
Great! No damn thing a majig to fuss with. I'll buy this one.
You may not prefer hub gears but they provide the Joe Average's with a clean easy way to ride a
bike not drive a car.