Some figuring I did last summer on how 52/19 gears on my road-bike translated to a bit over 88rpm at a 19.2 mph average over 12.5 miles, so not "mashing" at all. A book I read on Bicycling Science showed research where professional fit cyclists usually spun at lower rpms in a higher gear than the average cyclist or amateur. I am certainly an amateur and often spin higher rpms and at higher speeds with this 52/19 combo, so I am looking for a different freewheel with an 18-tooth cog so I don't have to spin as high and will be able to run at a higher speed. My other ten-speed I ride has a 50/17 I run well with on flatter circuits when there is no strong headwind, but it too would be a little better for me right now if it had an 18T cog. In the end don't worry about what people say on forums, just do what feels good, that is the advice of a popular reviewer of research paper's on cycling when it comes to many parameters of setting up the bicycle for the rider.
