When I looked for a bike last year, I wasn't looking for a specific gear set. I narrowed it down to Giant's Sedona 3 x 7 speed with 1.95" tires and their very handsome Cyprus 1 x 7 speed with 1.5" tires. Both have the upright seating position I am interested in for pleasure and comfort.
If the Cyprus 7 speed cassette's sprockets were properly spaced I would have bought it instead of the Sedona. I love the simple styling of the Cypress with a single chainring and no front derailleur. The 42/34 to 42/14 range is enough for 90% of my riding. BUT the Cyprus uses a 14/34 cassette with 2 low cogs of 24/34. So to keep reasonable steps between gears I can only use the 14 - 24 sprockets on the cassette. That is unacceptable even for a recreational riders.