robyr

More teeth to hook the chain, less likely to sheer something or drop a chain. That's the only benefit I can think of, mechanically. I also find larger cogs/rings to give a more solid and smooth rotation.

SpeshulEd 

https://sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-bcd.html

Surly2698

52 x 17 is not that bad.
Denver is pretty flat for the most part until you start going to the foothills
I rode a 48x15 for a long time on my 36 mile round trip every day commute, I do have an oh **** stick.
Just recently changed it to a 48x 17
Best change I have made in a long time.
Live and let live.

Dannihilator

Change chainring instead that way you don't have to switch to a bmx hub with the proper threading. Also seeing that bmx hubs and frames are 110mm instead of 120 and may have larger axles in diameter than what you would find of a ss/track hub, you'll also have the great pleasure of having a drivetrain with an incredibly bad chainline.

Bat56

You ride that thing in the ice and snow? Because hell yes I want to see that.

GMJ

I have never understood the hate for high gears here. If someone is well within their riding capabilities to responsibly regulate their speed and prefers low RPMs, then there should not be any problem. I've been commuting on my Cross Check as of late, but last year I commuted on 48x14, every day, 11mi each way with decent elevation change.

I'm not trying to brag here because I do not see it as anything extraordinary. What is surprising to me is the strong adverse reaction to high gears. Its starting to teeter on snobbery.

robyr

YOU may not be able to ride in the snow, but if thats true you must just push your bike around St. Paul in the winter to look cool.

I don't have a car, so its this or a ****ty 1.5 hour train/bus journey. Yeah, I ride in the snow on this bike, which is my only bike since I left my cargo bike with my parents in SC when we moved. Sorry thats so unbelievable to you.

PS: I rode in the snow and ice just this morning and just rode home from the office. Wow, so unbelievable.

robyr

Thank you, it's not even that big of a gear for christ's sake. I've never, ever, had to walk it. Even on my ride up Mt. Carbon and back down on my way to Red Rocks.

Bat56

I ride my bike everyday. It's a 26er with studded tires and a front brake. The regular setup is 36x16 and when I might encounter snow I put a wheel with an 18t on the back.

I want video of you riding that bike up any incline though at least three inches of snow.

I am not saying you are lying, I am saying you are the f'ing man and mad props to you so please share.

robyr

I'll get a decent video next time we get some snow (probably later this week honestly.) For now, this is the only decent "snow shot" I have. This was after riding to our current watering hole. Definitely before the plows got out there haha:

JohnDThompson 

Spreads the wear over more teeth as well, so the parts last longer.

EnzoRWD

Short answer: you want 72-74 gear inches. Get a 44T chainring.