[slashdot2008]

why have a front shifter, cable, and derailleur, and multiple chain rings when they are not required, you can have a 12 speed with only a rear derailleur

[u801e]

With that many gears in the cassette with only a single chain ring, would cross chaining become an issue when in the lowest or highest gear?

[MagerValp]

No more than on an 8-speed cassette. The stack height is the same, the gears are just closer together on the larger cassettes.

[lisper]

36 speeds baby!

(Just kidding, your point is well taken.)

[kybernetyk]

Why have a derailleur at all? Just get onboard the Rohloff e14 + Gates Carbon Drive train.

I mean chains are a relic of the past. The future is carbon belt drives.

(See, I can be snobby, too).