I ran a commuter 1x8 with a 44 ring for over a year and I agree that it's ideal in many respects. Not the least reason is that there are no missed shifts in front, ever, but also no periodic adjustments, less weight, no equipment failures - which are precisely the reasons we'll pay big bucks for expensive group sets. Except with fewer gears, obviously.

I changed mine to a triple for a hilly charity ride and then to standard double when that was over. The irony is that my 39x25 low gear now is almost exactly the same as the old 44x28 on the old 1x8 setup so I've got no edge on the hills. My beater now has the single ring setup, 7 speed actually but 11-30, and I've no inclination to change it.