I'm putting the finishing touches on a TT build, and I think I'm beginning to develop an unhealthy obsession concerning the number of teeth on my large chainring. Allow me to explain. I am using a "non-series" Shimano crankset (a RS510 crank, which is essentially a 105, but with solid crank arms, not the Hollowtech.) It's heavier than the 105 by about 1/2 a pound. But I went with it because it was the only 165mm set I was able to get within a reasonable price. But it's a "compact" model (50x34T). And that's where my unhealthy obsession has begun. I'm using a 12-23 (10 speed) cassette. With that lower number of RD cogs, I'm obsessing over whether I need a larger front chainring that has at least 52T. Am I defeating the whole purpose of employing a 12-23 cassette by going with a 50T chainring?

And my obsession has gone further in that I'm gung-ho on using crank arms that are no longer than 165mm. In that regard, I can't seem to find a suitable replacement for what I have without spending far more than I care to. So please help me end this agony! Am I obsessing over something trivial, or will switching to a crankset that has at least a 52T large chainring make a noticeable difference? I ride and compete on fairly flat roads. Thanks and sorry for my nuttiness!