Originally Posted by
sreten
Hi,
50 to 53 is 6% and 34 to 39 is 15%. So you'll lose probably
a full gear at the bottom and gain half a gear at the top,
and just have 9% more overlap of ratios inbetween.
Can't see the point in these days of compact front chainrings,
one would think the best approach is changing the rear cassette.
Anyway check out how much rear derailleur movement is
left on big/big, if its 1" you'll be fine, 0.5" you won't be.
If you never crosschain to big/big you'd probably also be OK.
rgds, sreten.
Old school 52/42 with 14,16,18,20,22,24,28. 40 to 100 gear inches.
Standard chainrings shift better under load and people in flat places probably don't need the 34. A 16-tooth jump is awkward if things aren't adjusted just right.
The 53 allows use of a 12 instead of an 11 or a 13 instead of a 12 to give similar top end, which makes for a tighter cassette.
If OP really wants the full-sized chainring shifting improvement and does not ride hills, 53/42 is the way to go. (I really like the old 52/42, but that's gone out of fashion.) 50/39 with an 11 or 12 cog is also a perfectly reasonable combination.
You are probably right that 50/34 or 50/36 is more practical for most people, especially those not involved in road racing or fast group riding.