Originally Posted by
dddd
There are many reasons why never to use the small/small combination (I said many), but why does anyone advise against using the big/big? It's one of the most-useful gears in the entire range, given that it allows the rider to avoid ceding momentum with a front downshift when cresting a hill.
End of rant, but I use the entire spread of even 8, 9 and 10-speed cassettes in the big ring, even on bikes with short 40.5cm chainstays.
I also find that on any bike I ride, I'm on the big ring all the time. I rarely need to downshift to the smaller one. I am also guilty of the big/big sin.