I commented above that I use a 52/42/24 triple, for that I use a vintage Suntour high normal front derailleur. Front bar end shifter is friction. Rear gearing is an Sram 11-32 eight speed cassette.
If you really want to use a double, go ahead. But, I really like my setup with a triple. It offers the gearing you are looking for and a bit more gear choices in the midrange to high end. The highest two gears are too high for typical riding but they can be nice to have for those rare long shallow downhills that you occasionally encounter.
I don't use the smallest rear two cogs with the smallest (24t) chainring, don't use the largest two rear cogs with the largest (52t) chainring and with the middle (42t) chainring do not use the smallest or largest rear cogs. This results in a total of 18 gears that I actually use. In my case there is another reason that I do not use the smallest two rear sprockets when I use my 24t chainring, the rear derailleur (XT M739) does not take up all the slack in the chain.
From smallest to largest, gear inches with my 37 X 700c tires is as follows:
20.7,
25.5,
31.6,
36.8,
41.4,
44.6,
47.3,
55.2,
64.4,
68.4,
72.5,
79.8,
82.9,
89.8,
96.7,
102.6,
119.7,
130.6.