Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
The chain should be nowhere close to the big chainring when you are in the small ring and the largest cog. Do you mean that you are in the smallest cog in the rear, and so the highest gear available when in the small ring? That's a common problem due to the size difference between the 50T and 34T chainrings, and one of several reasons you should be in the larger chainring at that point.
I meant when I'm in 34 front and 12 back. I know to avoid this combo, but just think it's kind of odd that this is a common problem with compact doubles.