[greglepore]

You hit it, its not much easier-but if you're going to ride a 27, you get much smaller gaps with a 34-23 and the same effective low gear...which is the real reason.

10 and now 11 speed has reduced the need somewhat, and I've yet to find a non-cat 2 who "needs" a 53-11 or 12. 39-27 should be good for most West coast style stuff, the problem out here is that we have climbs that are short but go from 15% to up to 20-22, and those'll kill ya.