Originally Posted by
spectastic
so why is it widely regarded that stronger riders use 52 and more average riders use 50? Unless you're going steep down hill with 52/12 vs 50/12, how else would it matter?
It isn't. There's only 4% difference between a 52 and 50.
There are many riders who feel they might be regarded as weak or a ***** for riding a compact, but then they spend most of their time riding in the little ring. There is zero correlation between your chainrings and power.