I'm not saying I'd ride it higher --- I wouldn't. My preference is 46x17 = 71.4 GI. Sometimes I switch to 46x16 if I know there will be a lot of downhills on a ride.

It just surprised me because sooooooo many folks around here run 3:1 or more ratios and they all look at me sideways when I start talking about spinning. Sounds like Rick&Co. set themselves up right, or at least the way I would run it myself.