Originally Posted by banerjek

If he's going to ride only one cassette and intends to go in hills where he might do 10K feet in a century, his existing 50/34 and 11-28 combo is excellent. But I thought there was a 6800 46/36 11 speed cross double (if there is and he has a 6800 crank, seems like he could buy a ring or two). In a hilly ride like you describe, you actually will run out of gears with a 46T. But at those speeds, aero is far more important anyway.

I don't think a 52/36 will be an improvement for him. The bottom gear will become a little more useful but the top will become less so. And the midrange will still be lousy.