I won’t deny I enjoy all aspects of bicycle mechanics as they are one of the most efficient machines ever invented and always getting better. Fit and gearing is what allows everyone to customize their bike to best suit their needs and I never would comment on what someone else was riding unless they asked my opinion.

As to half step with a wide cassette I find it much simpler than half step from the old days on a 10 speed where you did have to think about what you were doing and shift the pattern. I ride my bike exactly the same as you ride yours on the 42t ring and I don’t know my gear inches when I’m on the bike I only listed them as a way to communicate on here. when someone asks me what gearing I have I know my high and low and that’s about it. If I’m riding along in say 40 and feel a need to go higher I shift in the back say I go over 4 to get to 66. And I need a touch more the shifts aren’t complicated with a STI setup. I just flip the front to the 45t and I’m there. All the shifts are single shifts some just in the front some front and back. But with a 42t to 45t shift it’s so smooth you think it’s in the back. On the big ring I do the same thing cascade across till close then if I need to go lower a half switch to 42t if I need to go up a half back up one and then switch or do them together. I never would try and go up thru the pattern like you would on a 10 speed with the huge jumps.

A lot of triples are actually one and a half step + granny and I do find that confusing if you really want to find a in between gear. Very few people use them like that I think.