Fair enough...but what if you don't "need" or "want" a dropper post? Are you not just adding "more weight" and "more heavy un-needed controls" that you just eliminated by getting rid of the 2nd shifter and ring but then you add it back again with an even heavier dropper post/lever and cable? What if you ride long open gravel road sections but you spin out like a squirrel stuck in a cage cause you do not have another ring up front? Why struggle with only one ring up front that is never low enough or high enough, which is a constant complaint with 1-by systems and non-sponsored riders?
The "clutch" derailleurs with long cages were invented because the cassette spread was getting too wide to begin with when they forced one-by on us, which then makes us use a chain tensioner(more weight) or "narrow/wide" rings. "Boost" spacing was also forced upon us because of the one ring evolution up front and of course 29-er wheels. A wider dropout spacing in back has nothing to do with being able to run fat tires on a bike, (which is commonly claimed). The chain and seat stays if designed wider allows fat tires, not "boost spacing" people! One ring in front was forced onto us because of the 29-er wheel size which compromised frame design. A longer-travel Full Suspension Frame could not be made to work for 29-ers without getting rid of the front derailleur to make room for the bigger wheels, which happens to run into the BB area and that pesky front shifter darnit.
What if you are a seasoned rider and you never have to think about cross-chaining cause you know better? What if you want a wider range of gears? Yes, you can run a 1x10 with a large-spread cassette, but you need a derailleur adapter to be able to allow the old derailleur to work, which also weakens the frame/derailleur connection but it still does not give you a wide enough range....the #1 complaint besides cassette costs. And now the cross-chaining gets worse because of the one ring up front and the wide-range cassette in back..(see article link)
And finally, with all due respect, if a rider looks at me with a "baffled look" when talking about cross-chaining or what gear to use, then prob won't be riding much with them(small percentage.
) Funny, I can't tell the difference between qr or 15mm thru-axle front ends nor can I feel much difference between a 29er, 27 .5er or a 26er to be honest......if you spend $6000 on a new carbon 29er FS bike, then you are forced to hit the easy button and support "one-by" because that is all you can have. It may be good for some riders, but it's not for me or the terrain I ride..skpc