Even if you put more on the rear you can still get 50% more options if you add a 3rd front cog.
It's not needed on everything but I really appreciate the extra options on my recumbent and touring bike.
It's not needed on everything but I really appreciate the extra options on my recumbent and touring bike.
Tolerances on a 1x setup are also much tighter, not ideal for long distance cycletrekking adventures.
Also, with a front derailer, dropping the chain to a smaller cog in the front to get to a lighter gear results in much happier shifting than having to lift the chain to a larger cog on the rear derailer when going uphill.
When MTB racing you can really get some advantage out of shifting combination discipline using a front derailer, when going from a downhill into an uphill.
I'm sad it's hard to find a 2x setup on new bicycles nowadays :-/