I still have 52/42 on all of my bikes.......
............with a 30T granny included.
More often that not, I'm on the 52/42, but the granny is there if I need it. The main benefit is reduced shifting. Where I live the terrain is up/down/up/down. Instead of shifting 5-7 with the front/back then returning the other way in a minute or two, I can shift the front once or twice and cover the same range. Over a multiple hour/all day ride that helps a lot. Otherwise, my right forearm muscles get extremely tight. I eventually lose the ability to shift, brake or even grip the handlebar with that hand. Safety becomes an issue.