Originally Posted by newbojeff
I have a Shimano 105 50/39/30. I probably spend 70% of the time on the 39, 28% of the time on the 50, and 2% of the time on the 30. I have a cassette that has a 27, so there is little call for the 30t chainring.
I regeared my 52/42/30 + 12/25 to 50/39/30 + 11/28 and am very happy w/ how that turned out. I use the 30 more and 50 less than you do, but I could do my whole commute on the 39 if I had to. I really like that 39 on that bike. w/ the 50, I could start at 13 on the cassette, but it was $15 from nashbar so I tolerate the extra weight of the 11 and 12 (and using them w/ the 39 spares 'wear' on the 50 anyway).
and then, I should add, I pretty much switched over to a mountain bike anyway, but more for fit/comfort than gearing (though do need the mtn bike to pull a trailer of kids/groceries up the hills I am dealing with)