Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,752
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
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I guess it depends on the terrane. On my main road bike I have a somewhat unconventional combination of a 53/39 and a 12-27 in back. This works for me in Minnesota and isn't bad when I go ride the hills of Wisconsin. On the other hand, when I did some serious climbs in California last year, I was dearly wishing for some easier gears. On my second road bike I have a compact 50/34 and also a 12-27. That's better for climbing, but if I really want acceleration down a hill, I wish I had an 11 in back. I keep thinking I should make a change, but I haven't yet.
If I were shopping for a new bike, I might think hard about a 52/36. That seems like a great compromise.