Originally Posted by
ClydeClydeson
Broctoon There is a small advantage to using a larger chainring/cog over a smaller chainring/cog with the same ratio (like 50-25 vs 38-19) - the smaller gears will need higher chain tension for the same power output and speed, and this can increase friction and wear in the chain and drivetrain - admittedly a very small amount - but a difference nonetheless.
I know. There’s also an efficiency advantage with bigger gears, perhaps a Watt or two? My point is that you stay in the big chain ring because you want to meet your personal goal of staying in the big chain ring—for your own reasons. You don’t recommend it to everyone as a universally applicable technique.
Maybe Larry’s friend recommended it based on something specific he knew Larry was trying to achieve. He could also have suggested to stay in an overall ratio 20% higher than usual, not important how this is obtained.