50-34 with a short cage 11x28 .... I don;'t find too many situations where I cannot find a gear.

The only time tiny steps really mater To Me is in a group ride or into the wind.

We have been having a lot of wind lately and I don't find it any harder to find a good gear on the 50-34 than on the 52-42-32 triple. Fewer duplicate ratios.

In my understanding, the idea is to minimize front shifting .... and to minimize gear-hunting.