Robbie,

53X12 = lol (for me) Enjoy it while you can.

For me, that would be like slogging and grinding instead of riding/spinning. I suppose, if I were drafting someone, then yes, otherwise fahgedaboudit!

Now, if you get into 53X12 ASAP during normal riding, why then is this your top gear? What do you do when you have a tail wind or a slight down hill, coast? Robbie, I know nothing about you as a rider. I think you should gear down a bit and spin rather than grind. I could be totally wrong. Let me know.