Originally Posted by
Drew Eckhardt
Run a 46/30 super compact. You'll keep the same tight spacing for flat rides but have lower gears for hills.
52x13 was a big enough gear for Eddy Merckx to dominate the pro peloton and you're no eddy.
That's halfway between 46x11 and 46x12.
46x11 doesn't get you to 30 mph at 90 rpm. The mountain roads of MT aren't all that steep, so OP might find himself spun out on downhills/windy false flats (depending on his riding style). Running CX/Gravel gearing on a road bike seems a bit overkill/specific.
Merckx probably turned way higher RPM's than OP, and he was limited by technology, not equipment choice. Nobody in the current pro peloton (including flyweight climbers) is running less than a 53x11, and many riders opt for a 54t large chainring.