Originally Posted by jslopez
...2) Possibly on a downhill a larger/stronger rider you spin out on the 50 11 but that wasn't the case for me (but I thought I'd bring that up)...
The 50 to 53 top end difference is hardly noteable. From Sheldons gear calculator:
53 X 11 @ 120RPM (700x23 wheels, 172.5 crank)= 45.2MPH
While
50 X 11 @ 120RPM (700x23 wheels, 172.5 crank)= 42.6MPH
-Not accounting for wind resistance. The bottom end will be much better (more noticeable), even if crossed over only up to say 3 from your biggest rear cog.