I ride a 46 with 11-28 in the rear. 11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18, plenty tight where it counts, I compensated (for the 11) by dropping the range going with a smaller big ring because the big guys don't offer the majority of their cassettes starting with 12.

I ride in tight groups on a weekly/biweekly basis...I'm hedging over 52/36 versus just going compact, both with 11-32. Gaps will be wider than what I have but, I feel as if I've gone too tight, and I don't have what I'd like at my disposal to zoom where I can. I was racing some 120# guy a few weeks ago down a nice long hill, he had standard, if I was taller in front I would of had him, ran neck and neck with him there, on rollers and flats, but he climbed like an angel. I'm a good 195#.