I think a gear of around 70" is a good compromise. I ran 44x17 at PBP and it worked very well. At 29 kmh, you're spinning at 90 rpm's, and it's no problem sitting in a 35-40 kmh paceline. I'm spun out on the descents at about 56 kmh, but I've managed to take it to over 60 (but I'm spinnin' like a fool), but that might have been in the slightly larger 42x16.

Also, if I don't use a half-link with the 44x17, I can run 48x15 (86") on the track without having to replace the chain. This is a sprinter's warmup gear, and I'm definitely not a sprinter, but it's a good gear for training on the track with, when I've got my road fixed in its track configuration (at the indoor Burnaby Velodrome during the winter).

Luis