Here's my $.02.

I've got an old ('83) steel triple touring rig ( honestly don't remember the gearing but it got me fully loaded trans-continental ), an aluminum/carbon composite with a 50/34 paired with an 11/30-10 spd and a full carbon 50/34 paired with a 11-32-10 spd. I'm going either up or down around here. The longest true flat is 3 miles long. I can ride anything that the ridges throw at me, but replacing the 30 with a 32 has made all of my rides comfortable. For me that's all that matters. whatever causes a person to endure pain for the sake of appearance (like a lot of my peers) is self destructive. It ain't about the bikes, its about riding. Ride what causes you the least pain and the hell with our own 'fashionista's.

Bye for now got go have a beer.