I really enjoy the 46 front ring because it expands my useable range of the rear cogs. I've swapped all my bikes to 46 on the front. On a 50 tooth I don't touch the smallest 3 cogs. With a 46 I have more choices but still don't use the 11. For me a 46 makes a huge difference.
I'm curious about a 44 so i'm working on a project with a Force 22 crank, a 2x North Shore Billet (NSB) spider with an MTB 104 BCD, and 44/28 rings. The Ultegra 8000 front mech is happy with that small of rings on the frame I am experimenting with. But there are some serious chainline and front mech interference issues I'm trying to sort out with spacers. It is not looking to promising at the moment but if I nail it then this will be my new off-road setup. The Force cranks can be quite flexible by changing the spider but these types of projects are not for everyone. Lots of time and money spent experimenting but I like that sort of thing.
I still have the 46T on retired bike. I could probably use that ring and put a 50+ on the turbo one but I'm lazy and the 50T up front is good for fat people like me that will ride the descents some times.
I really enjoy the 46 front ring because it expands my useable range of the rear cogs. I've swapped all my bikes to 46 on the front. On a 50 tooth I don't touch the smallest 3 cogs. With a 46 I have more choices but still don't use the 11. For me a 46 makes a huge difference.
I'm curious about a 44 so i'm working on a project with a Force 22 crank, a 2x North Shore Billet (NSB) spider with an MTB 104 BCD, and 44/28 rings. The Ultegra 8000 front mech is happy with that small of rings on the frame I am experimenting with. But there are some serious chainline and front mech interference issues I'm trying to sort out with spacers. It is not looking to promising at the moment but if I nail it then this will be my new off-road setup. The Force cranks can be quite flexible by changing the spider but these types of projects are not for everyone. Lots of time and money spent experimenting but I like that sort of thing.