The advantage of derailleur gears for me is that I can have close ratios, ok I had to buy two cassettes 12/28 and 11/28 split them and build one which is 11,12,13,14,15,18, 21.
I have tripple chainrings,(28/38/48) and can peddle up to 28mph without spinning out with my 11/48 (its a 27"...