Anyone who can get by with 1x doesn’t have a lot of steep climbs, and/or is willing to give up top speed. If your view is narrow enough, 8 speed is dandy. I not only have 12 speed, I use the 10-36 cassette and a 48/31 or 46/30 grx crank to get 557% or 552% range.
11 speed is quickly coming to an end.
FWIW, I weigh 135, but I'm getting up in age. I still ride 5,000+ miles per year.
Last edited by DaveSSS; 06-11-21 at 07:01 AM.