Cool. We run 53-39-26 with Ultegra 9-speed shifters. I do have to call the middle to granny shift so Stoker can back it off, or just get it done early before the hill steepens much. Otherwise, the chain just stays on the middle ring. I also have to call for us to "spin it up", then back off to get from granny to middle. None of that bothers me. I love the gearing. We have no problems middle-to-big or the reverse.