I think from the original post that there some showroom floor "snobbery" going on in that a compact crankset "only has a 50" where as "everyone knows" that a 53 is a real fast road gear.

Warning! This is the 50+ forum where "commonsensory trumps snobbery".

In other words, if you can max out a 50/11 you are in the top 1/2% here.

I'll stand on my previous statement.........at 25mph, yes the bike "can" go faster.