Originally Posted by
dvdslw
I live in Florida so no big climbs around here and I almost never switch to the small ring up front, if I do I'm exhausted and going over an overpass. I've never concerned myself with cross chaining, not sure what the big deal is? I'm a big guy that rides hard and have never had an issue as a result of that, maybe it was more of an issue with a triple up front? My bike has a 53/39 with a 12/25 cassette but if I had it my way, a single 50 up front with an 11-28 rear would be perfect and no need for a front derailleur at all. Unless I move to Colorado?
I too live in Florida and I never use the small ring on the front. My left shifter is essentially an expensive decoration or an exercise in asthetic balance. There are no hills in N Florida with the exception of the overpasses or bridges. I don't ride near any bridges so our overpasses are probably considered speed bumps by Northerners.