Originally Posted by Drew Eckhardt

As a stronger cyclist than Eddy Merckx who dominated the peloton with a 52x13 big gear and the EPO-powered pros running 53x12 through the 9 speed era, you don't need the 28. 11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19 will be fine.

Conversely, with more normal fitness you might be happier with a 13 and smaller gaps in the middle. There are just a few situations where pedaling with an 11 or 12 cog would be faster than tucking because you'e spun out a 13.

Triples cranks are also an option. I rode 50-40-30x13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21 in the 8 speed era because that provided a 13-19 straight block for plains rides east of Boulder, CO and low like 42x29 for the Rocky Mountains.