I just swapped out a 15t front cog for a 17t and went for a spin. The bike feels like it has less pickup initially, once I get over about 4 or 5krpm I can't feel much difference.
My initial thoughts were that the top end would make up for it ??
Over a set distance the bike used to pull about 180ks in 4th looking for 5th, now it is pulling 190ish in 4th and still pulling hard.
I'm just wondering will the extra speed amount to a quicker pass. I'm only talking 1/8th mile here too.