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Why hasn't this come out
If I've got me sums right the range of a 50 / 34 compact with 11 / 28 cassette would be coved with 46 ring and 10 / 38 cassette
Gears too widely spaced maybe?
Roadies don't want big jumps between gears
That would be the usual reason. Roadies like their gears close together.
Makes sense for finely-tuned athletes, but it probably wouldn't bother me.
Have you seen the 1x10 Sram cyclocross groupset?
Can you get a 10-38 cassette?
I run 42t chainring with 11-32 10-speed cassette on my main training bike. I don't find the gears too widely spaced although some people do fret about such things when I discuss it with them.
I've only got a front derraileur on 1 out 6 of my bikes - 3 road, 1x10, 3x10 and 1 SS, 3 MTB, 2 1x10 and 1 SS
Roadies don't want big jumps between gears
Neither do a lot of mountain bikers.
hadn't seen that cx groupset - interesting
actually thinking about it you could probably keep 50 tooth and run 11 - 42 ish
as you don't lose the shifter really as you need a brake lever, I guess there isn't much in it weigh wise - only lose front mech
48T and 11-34 here. Works for what need it for: traffic lights and hills, mostly. Got a 38T for off road jaunts. Paul's Chainkeeper up front works great almost all the time, unless you get caught backpedaling over bumps for some reason.
It would help if there was a thick/thin road chainring in 46/48/50 format - I'd drop the front mech in a flash if that were the case. Works so well on a MTB.