This is my first post here as a brand new forum member
I live in south Wales (UK) and ride mostly in the tight twisty back lanes of the Gwent area twice a week for about 10-40miles per ride on average. I do sometimes find myself at the FoD, Cwmcarn or Bike Park Wales, but not very often.
I have a very nice 2016 full carbon Cube Stereo 140mm 29'er 2x, the moment I took her for a test ride around the shop, I knew she was the perfect fit for me! She matches the type of riding I do perfectly, with long fast lane down hills where you peddle out at over 40mph then hit a stupid steep hill needing 1st gear in some cases where even that won't get me up! I ride the lanes with 6" pot holes, rivers of field flooding pouring down the road with gravel in it, moss and grass growing down the middle, 2" of mud from the farms, cow crap etc etc. I also like to hit the odd steep grass enbankment and jump off steps and kerbs
I love the 2x 11 setup as it allows me to find the exact gear that matches my strength at that moment using the very fine increments in gears. Big ring most of the time with 11 gears to use, hit a hill, drop into the granny gear with another 11 speeds to use. Coming to a junction, with one push, drop to the granny gear only and I have a perfect gear to stop and pull away in. I've never had a chain drop, my dropper seat lever has never been in the way and the cockpit is not cramped (even with a bell, computer and big light). I don't find gear changing an issue and both derailleurs have never given me a single bit of problems. In short I LOVE MY X2!
I guess you know whats coming? Over the years I have kept an eye on what is new in MTB, not that I'm looking to buy, just interested. To my astonishment, the 1x system has white washed the whole of MTB, I can't find one bike brand that still offer a 2x. I've read many forum threads about the demise of 2x and how it's never coming back! The odd guy that does say he needs a 2x gets slammed by just about everybody in the thread. They say stuff like, 1x works for me, so it must work for you and tons of other stupid stuff.
So I'm personally very sad about the total domination of 1x as the type of riding I do very much does need the range a 2x offers, and yes, I do use the whole range on every single ride (maybe not 1st every time). As I said above, I can spin out at over 40mph and crawl up a steep hill at 2mph all in the same ride.
It saddens me that my Cube 2x will be the last new bike I'll ever buy and I'll never be able to chill out in a bike shop and drool over the latest 'country lane basher beast' because none of the bikes on offer will ever be offered in the gear type that suits my style of riding perfectly
I don't want to choose between top speed or slow speed and I don't want large steps between gears. I also don't want to 'get stronger' so I can cope with the gear steps, nor do I want to over spin when tackling a long steep hill cos the next gear up to too much for me! Personally I feel 1x is perfect for the bike parks and down hill, but for general riding, it can't be as good surly.
Am I the odd one out or the only rider left in the world that still loves 2x?
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and loads of chainrings!!!! No wonder he has to take trains everywhere 
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). What each bike runs is more likely related to what I can get hold of or is in the spares box than the current trend. Plus, I am a weak rider and did a lot of stuff for many years on really rocky trails where a bash-ring was the best thing to bolt to the outer chainset tabs so loosing the biggest ring was not issue / became my default set-up.
Got told off by the kids after the first night cos as soon as the dark came they managed to jump out and was gone into the surroundings.
I'm very 'ashemd' and the kids were of me too 
