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Hold my fondue skewer...

I would agree with Sethimus, that generally whats ridden here maybe doesnt apply everywhere else. But I've lived in a few places in Europe, and generally its kind of "three phases" or three types of people. People that are somewhat new to the hobby ride a lot of YT/Canyon - Good marketing, and easy to order online, with good pricing. Then we have the "middle" phase, people often ride bikes from their local bike shop. So in that specific city, if it has a big Spesh dealer, SC dealer, Trek dealer etc - Thats what you see, and people continue...

I prefer the Trinity myself

Peak #teamrumors flex is going back and searching through a couple dozen forum pages to quote your own (correct) predictions. Not bad.

This. Please everyone just ride it before you speak of drag. Based on what I read in internet forums, I would never buy one. It makes all the sense to me, but all I hear on the internet is "drag" and that you can't shift while pedalling. Then I got to ride one.. I haven't noticed any increase in drag compared to my Demo with half a day of riding on it in the park. I'd say if I don't lube a chain every day, there's more drag in that system, especially when the Saint wears out in 3 months...

Dang! And here I was hoping I could ride my Amflow in restricted airspace.

People assume way too much about gearboxes and belts. Do not judge until your ride one. The reports you read about the drag or gripshift appear to be mostly from people who haven't ridden a gearbox bike and are just repeating what they heard. I have a gearbox bike with a belt drive, 155mm cranks. Full suspension with idler and tensioner. So lots of added "drag" beyond the gearbox itself. It's a big enduro bike that gets used for bike parks and shuttle laps too. I've beat it to hell and back for the last 3 years, broken frames, bent...