Beyond avoiding "the grind", efficiency and chain wear/life are other good reasons to use the bigger ring(s) with bigger sprockets in the back when possible*. If you don't find yourself using the big ring as much because the gears are too high, try substituting a smaller ring. I'm currently loving the heck out of this 48/39 crank -- I can spend a lot more time in the 48T than I would in a 52/53T, and shifting is easy despite the lack of ramps and pins.



* The big-big combination is somewhat of a no-no, although generally not fatal.