I'm using a 50/36 with a 23-11, and it's a lot easier to go through the gears. So much so that I can get up to the upper end of the cassette in combination with the 50 quite easily if there's any kind of negative grade. Going down SoMo, I'll run out of gears and just tuck. I don't find a need for anything less than the 21 either so all my gearing is super tight which is really nice.

My road bike on the other hand is a 53/39 and I hardly go into the upper range of the cassette in the 53. I use a 25-11 and find it fine for almost everything.

Basically, since TTing is staying in one comfortable gear and having easier gears for grades to stay in aero, I have the compact. Road biking, I need bursts of power and a range for climbing so bigger cassette and larger chain rings.