Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

Ahem

If I had infinite budget I'd have a singlespeed MTB, but I don't, so I'll stick with gears.

With a ~1:1 bottom gear on a 1×10 rig, you can ride up anything unless it's so steep that you'd be faster walking.

True, so it makes sense. And saves weight. And adds simplicity - no worrying about two shifters when you're riding twisty singletrack.

I just don't know if those upgrades are right. Still umming and ahhing.