If you prefer bigger gears, think about going 40/52 (or 53). Still a good range, a bit more time on the 40 when climbing, maybe consider working on cadence to increase that a tiny bit, and you'll have a workable range with that "emergency" low gear still available, and the 52 (53) outer will just push up the ratios a bit, so descending will be more fun.
About a millennia ago, in competition (and training), 52x17,18, or 19 were favourite ratios for rolling along in the peloton, albeit on 7 and 8 speed cassettes (or blocks as they were then). With a 42 inner and 24 bottom sprocket, with an option for 40 x 25 or 27 when it was a big climb day. back even further, the smallest Campag inner was 42, and 3rd party supplier could go down to 41, simply because of the size of the spider.
The modern tendency seems to be lower gears uphill, much bigger everywhere else, and 36/53(or 54) plus 10 and 11 speed cassettes facilitate this. Plenty of big gears to play with, going down to mediums, and inner rings that will easily run the chain across to the 15 or 16. Chains are thinner and more flexible now, chainline may not be a problem, but they do seem to wear a bit faster.
