Big-big (53-25) is one of my favorite gears and I say I'm in it probably more than any other gear excluding climbing or descending.

So far, after about 1800 miles I haven't had any issues and no abnormal wear on the cassette or stretching out of the chain. I'll be replacing my chain soon but just because it has some miles on it, but even with my Park indicator, I'm no where near 1%.