Masher here.

My good bike is 53/39 front, 12-27 back.
My new bike (lesser quality) is 53/39 front, 11-28 back.

On my regular weeknight 1-hour training loop on the NEW bike :
* I am using the 53/11 for several minutes and I go faster before I run out of gears. I'm able to carry my momentum off downhills a little longer. I like it!!
* I only use the 39/28 on 3 short climbs and at all hard stops (9). Having the 28 means I can stay seated on one climb that I have to stand using the 39/27. It isn't as much help on the steepest climb since I still have to stand and the bike is at an unnatural angle pointed toward the sky.

I don't miss the gears they took out to give me the broader range. On undulating terrain I was typically shifting through several gears at once anyhow.

When I replace the good bike gearing, I'll look forward to getting an 11-28T on it also. Will have to swap out the derailleurs too.