I'm running a mock 22-32 double on my 26er, since I currently have the big ring "limited out". I can't say that I miss the 44 at all- I just don't use it. For me, the shifting gets a little weird when I'm in the 22 and the higher-geared half of the cassette, but I think that's a quirk of my particular frame. I will likely move to a 22-34 or 24-36 combination, and replace the largest ring with a bash guard.

Can you try out a double-equipped bike before committing to it?