Not necessarily "better", just different. There is no one bike that will excel in all conditions. If you live somewhere relatively flat then trading off the f

Not necessarily "better", just different. There is no one bike that will excel in all conditions. If you live somewhere relatively flat then trading off the flexibility for the reliability, low cost and light weight of a dérailleur free gearing system might be worth it. Same goes for hub gears. You trade heavier weight and efficiency for not having the gear box exposed. Personally I like the rang of a compact crank and a double up front when on tarmac or gravel and a 1x when on single track but that's just me.