dddd

In the grand scheme of gearing, I don't see anyone out there worried about duplication of ratios or even half-stepping anymore.
With increased # of cogs, and even with just 5 cogs, it's more about having an easily-usable shifting sequence and ratio spread that hopefully can accommodate small 2-tooth cog size increments at least up to the 17t size.
So "crossover" chainring size differences that utilize a back-shift of the rear derailer to add one more ratio to the sequence is good, but can be conveniently skipped when lower-intensity riding in the city or downhill is encountered.


I like triples with a larger difference between the smaller rings for the added reason that at the lower speeds when the 1-2 or 2-1 shifts are used, 1) there is more gearing torque available to bridge a bigger % ratio step and still accelerate quickly, and 2) there tends to be a much bigger percentage of speed change during the time it takes to downshift, so that a bigger drop down to the small ring better maintains cadence in concert with the bike's speed.