Originally Posted by
WhyFi
In general, I like to avoid the small chainring - front shifting has gotten really good, but it's still no comparison to what a rear derailleur can do. Being down at sea level and with very little elevation nearby, I'd probably never use the little chainring unless I was pedaling in to hurricane headwinds.
I honestly thought it would be worse for the rear derailer if I was large chain ring and on the 4 5 6 cog. Atleast that was my logic.