nathanm
Eats Squid
pretty much this.God knows why we need 20 or 30 gears. Or even 11 or 12 for that matter.
If I can't get up a hill with my 1x8 it shouldn't be climbed really. They're known as push bikes for a reason.
Think about what gears you use on a normal ride. For me it's the first three (30-42) and then maybe 16t on the descents. How many cassette's do you see with worn out granny gears but others seemingly untouched.
i too never saw the point of 1x, or tubeless or 15mm etc until I started using them. Though I am bemused by the continual increase in rear cassette range beyond a descent chainline. Imagine when we get 1x16 then someone comes out with this new tech 2x8 and everyone stops breaking chains.