The reason I like the larger front rings is purley asthetic. I just like the larger "slice of pie" look. Here are a coulple of examples of the 39 or 42 tooth.

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/e/barnes.htm

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/e/ferdinando.htm

Here is one with a 52.

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/tetro.htm

I might go with the 53/19 which is a 73.7 inch gear. I'll test that combo out on my road bike tonight.


"BTW- it is in especially bad form (actually "illegal") for an ebayer to "sell" you something that is not in stock- definitely worthy of bad feedback. I'd at least negotiate free shipping"

Yeah. I was not too happy about that. I was even less happy when the day after I paid they listed a complete wheelset w/eno hub for only about $50 more than I paid for the hub alone. It was snapped up before I noticed it.