I usually ride geared to work and 9 times out of 10 I hammer to get the best workout I can. I've built up a SS cross check and been riding that but I'm starting to feel limited after just a few rides. Go uphill and I can hammer, flats I can spin out at a high cadence and then any downhill is limited to coasting or spinning out. I'm starting to think I'd rather be able to hammer up, down and flat as well. Spin high cadence wherever I am, or grind a big gear wherever I am. Gears are a great invention.

I think the argument that you just have to go faster on a hill SS is hollow. Gears are no there just to "make it easier", they are there to make you faster in all situations. If you are on SS and beating geared riders to the top of a hill then its fitness and the other rider taking it easy uphill. I think I'll be switching to 1x8 and if I want it SS just stop shifting.