Well, I've broken a lot of chains on geared bikes, but never on a SS. There's a measure of security you get just by eliminating some of the complexity of the machine. And you can't gum up or rip off your derailleur, which is nice. Mud, twigs, big toothy rocks: None of 'em faze the SS. You just keep pedaling and the bike keeps moving, no worries.

Still, sometimes when the camelbak goes dry and the last jerky is et, it's nice to know you have a few more clicks in that right shifter, no? Derailleurs are complex, maybe even a tiny bit evil, but they sure do give you more options besides "Stand up and push." You can see I'm no SS evangelist...