12x27 is pretty standard these days with a triple. I don't think there should be a pride factor in what gear you use. I think you use the gears it takes to climb a hill and then buuild strength from there. Besides, there is no cookie cutter approach to gears, strength, leg leverage, crank length, etc., etc., etc. Your bike came equipped with whatever the manufacturer thought would work for the most people.

Besides, go find Yellow's Ode to her 27. That is a testiment to using gears as they were intended, not letting them use you.