I used a 1x10 setup for a couple of seasons with the usual "I never use my big ring" reasoning. The first year I used a 36T ring. The next year I used a 38T ring because the 36t was giving me too many chances to be slow.
This year, borrowing an idea from Katie Compton, I'm using a 2x9 setup with a 46/34 crank and a 12-28 cassette. Instead of starting in the small ring and switching to the big ring when I'm going fast enough I start in the big ring and only drop to the small ring when I need it. I'm using a
Gevenalle HOUP which helps a bit with the chainline. There have been several races this year when I've done the entire race in the big ring and I've definitely seen an improvement in my speed on the flats. Basically it has favorably changed the way I think about gear selection.
I'd like a 44/34 or 42/34 setup, but I also want clean shifting and am not ready to shell out for Wick Werks chain rings yet, though I am thinking about it.