The number of folks I've asked with totally worn-out big-cogs, roached chains, destroyed N/W rings, and otherwise fairly fresh cassettes, who don't seem to notice the extra drag/noise is almost as shocking as the number of people riding around with [**loose lock-on grips**](https://nsmb.com/articles/do-twist-and-stay-safe-trail/).
BUT, _**everyone**_ I've ever talked into running a smaller chainring (to use more of their cassette) and a more inboard chainring if it becomes possible when downsizing has certainly noticed the immediate difference in feel (I hear "efficiency") grinding up steep climbs - so I think it's fair to say, in my experience, that there's a lot of not-asked/don't-tell going on.
There are plenty of non-super-human bike enthusiasts working for these big bicycle companies - average riders, if you will - who, are spending plenty of time in these low gears so my assumption is that, as bad as 52/148 was, once enough folks try 55/148 this will become a common talking point within design teams - hence the prediction of a mass move to Super Boost.
Jan. 9, 2022, 9:30 p.m. - Andrew Major
The number of folks I've asked with totally worn-out big-cogs, roached chains, destroyed N/W rings, and otherwise fairly fresh cassettes, who don't seem to notice the extra drag/noise is almost as shocking as the number of people riding around with [**loose lock-on grips**](https://nsmb.com/articles/do-twist-and-stay-safe-trail/). BUT, _**everyone**_ I've ever talked into running a smaller chainring (to use more of their cassette) and a more inboard chainring if it becomes possible when downsizing has certainly noticed the immediate difference in feel (I hear "efficiency") grinding up steep climbs - so I think it's fair to say, in my experience, that there's a lot of not-asked/don't-tell going on. There are plenty of non-super-human bike enthusiasts working for these big bicycle companies - average riders, if you will - who, are spending plenty of time in these low gears so my assumption is that, as bad as 52/148 was, once enough folks try 55/148 this will become a common talking point within design teams - hence the prediction of a mass move to Super Boost.