I don't know about 46/16 being high for the street. I run that and find it nice, even for a city with some larger hills. When I got my conversion finished I ended up with 46/15 and thought 80 GI was a little high for some of the hills, I have tried the same 46 ring with 15,16 & 17t cogs and I like 16 the best for all around and longer distances.