A mid-range fork today is so much better than a mid-range pogo-stick fork from the 90s.
Better forks & shocks as well as a slacker headtube-angle on most bikes today make todays bike a lot better to handle and ride, and inspire a lot more confidence than a bike from the 90s.
I do agree prices are high, but you do not have to have a $10k carbon bike to have fun or win races.
Not having to choose between 1-2 on the front and then the back gears simplifies things greatly. In addition you also save some weight, it's a much simpler mechanic with less maintenance and with a newer SRAM Type2 or Shimano Shadow+ Clutch derailleur and a narrow-wide front ring you pretty much can't drop a chain, which is great. The only exception would be if you ride incredibly rough terrain where you bounce a lot, but a very simple chainguide fixes that problem.