Originally Posted by
FBinNY
But chains and sprockets wear over time, and if you spend the majority of your riding time in any gear it'll wear faster than if you spread the wear across multiple sprockets. That's especially true with the smallest cassette sprockets which have fewer teeth.
Chain wear is also highest on smallest sprockets because the chain has to flex through a greater angle as it winds on and off, plus the smaller the rear sprocket the greater chain tension compared to the amount of wheel torque (acceleration).
Crucial points there. I've prematurely worn middle chainrings from not wanting to double shift front and back. Those aluminum 32s wear faster than steel 24s or aluminum 42s.
So you're doing the right thing to save your chainrings, but the wrong thing to save your cogs. Try running in the 14T cog more and spinning a bit more. Maybe get a bigger big chainring if you want higher gearing and can find one on sale.