Originally Posted by
alan s
A better measure is the % change between steps, rather than the number of teeth. This gear calculator makes it easy to compare drivetrains.
HTML5 Gear Calculator
Most 1X road systems are being specced with a 40 something ring. Compared to a 34 or 50, there's no point in comparing the percentage. A 3, 4 or 5 tooth jump is still a large jump, whether on a 34, 42 or 50 chainring. Large gaps in gearing are appropriate and necessary in off road riding with large and swift changes in terrain. When spinning on road, not so much.
One con of triples is that at least for me, a dropped chain off the small ring seems far more likely. Chain tension drops a lot more going to a 22, 24 or even 30 ring than to a 34 or 39 small ring.