Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 1,659
From: PacNW
Bikes: Dinucci Allez 2.0, Richard Sachs, Alex Singer, Serotta, Masi GC, Raleigh Pro Mk.1, Hetchins, etc
Long time cyclists will tell you that the small cog / small ring, and largest cog / big ring combo, should be avoided for several reasons.
The ratios in those gears can be approximated in other gear combinations.
yes, the FD can be trimmed, but better to solve the problem another way.
Like taking off from a stoplight in 4th gear in a car with manual transmission, yes it can be done, but there are other options that are kinder to the mechanism.
/markp