Context: I have a very cheap aluminum bike, originally the cheapest on the market, with a 3x7 freewheel system. Since I wanted to upgrade the components, I had the brilliant idea of ​​adding a single chainring with an 11-42 10-speed cassette and a 34t BCD chainring. The result? Disaster... the chain is completely crossed at impossible angles. What would you do in this situation? Should I go back to a triple chainring system, keeping either a 3x9 or 3x8 setup? Or should I try a shorter bottom bracket and see if it improves?

I'm basically trying to make a Preamble something it's not. Found a Preamble frame (XS) and want to put my money in building it up with nice things. Will eventually upgrade to another frame (possibly MS).

Confirming if this stuff is compatible/suggestions?

Fork: State Carbon fork, regular or monster? Something else?

Wheels: something beefy. Zipp 303? Open to carbon.

Tires: 650b. Really like the Gravelking Panaracer sk pink but can't find them for the tire size.

Drivetrain: Looking for a X1 system. Had experience on SRAM AXS wireless. Is there a system that is as easy as right goes up left goes down for shifting but is not battery operated?

Brakes: Looking at hydraulic