The US bikes come with 13/52 which didn't leave much for top end on tarmac. Wanting a better cruising speed, I had ordered a 14t front sprocket from Brian but then decided I wasn't quite ready to buy a chain.
So I have gone to a 49t rear which gives me noticeably better top end but still has plenty of low end for climbing all the rocky stuff we have here.
I think the ratio is quite close (but slightly lower) than the ever popular 14/52.
