Wow. This is big news. While SRAM and Shimano have for the most part competed uncontested in the drivetrain game, it looks like FSA is about to join in the fun.

Greg from Straitline and Andre from Rush Sports New Zealand are two big-time industry geeks (I mean that in a good way) who have dug up some info surrounding this potentially disruptive product. Andre found FSA's patent application while Greg was able to source a drawing of what the device might look like.

Personally I don't know why FSA would do this. The process of bringing a product like that to market is long and expensive with little guarantee of payoff. Not only that, but manufacturers are selling more single speed and fixed gear bikes than ever. The trend in all disciplines of riding seems to be a move toward simplification. Why develop a long-cage derailleur with way too many speeds?