I agree with your statment. The problem is that hub gears are just as efficient, actually more so. The Shimano Nexus hub is a state of the art design. It is virtually bullet proof. Though the hub itself weighs more than a conventional freehub overall I believe it is just as light as a derailluer equipped bike. Remember, with a Nexus you eliminate the 9/10 speed cassette for a much lighter single speed version. The chain is shorter and hence lighter. The rear derailluer is eliminated also. When you figure out the reduction in weight from the parts that changed or were eliminated, they more than make up for the increase in hub weight.

What's more is when the BB/gear box is perfected. The Swiss have a 2/3 speed version out now. It was posted here a few months ago. I believe that eventually the derailluer will be obsolete and all geared bikes will be internally geared. This isn't going to happen immediatley either. I'm sure that it will take many years but it will happen. Internal gearing is so much more efficient than a chain and derailluer.


Tim