but you said:
You could virtually spin that out on the flat.
Which is demonstrably b0ll0cks, as per above comparisons with track, and the fact that ‘spun out’ (what RPM do you spin out at?) at 120RPM 46×11 would be giving you almost 40MPH on the flat, if you can keep up 40MPH on the flat for any significant time then you shouldn’t be wasting your time posting on here, you’ve got bike races to win! It might be possible to spin that out on the flat, briefly, if you’re very strong and fit, but it’s hardly a problem most people will face.
Which brings us back to
Good hilly terrain gear choice for non-racers or anyone carrying anything.
As it doesn’t sound like the OP is asking for gearing advice for grand tour or bunch racing does it?
And downhill once you’re up to >40MPH you’re probably going to get more benefit from a decent aero tuck and freewheeling than anything else, if you’re that way inclined, but again, it doesn’t sound like the OP is asking about top end racing gearing does it?
I’m also more than a little sceptical about your 11T being useless comment as well, there is no reason a well adjusted and maintained drivetrain won’t operate skip free on the 11T under normal use.
4) He still isn’t using a 46 x 11 for a good reason.
There is more to it than looking at gear inches when selecting you setup.
no doubt or argument there, but again, I don’t think the OP was asking about gearing advice for his next attempt on Wiggo’s record, he’s asking about normal gearing for normal riding, specifically the shifting performance, not suitability of ratio, and where a 46T ring will probably be more than adequate, and you know what, if he gets stronger or moves somewhere flatter I’m sure he’ll be able to put a bigger ring back on, but frankly your comments are of no use to the OP at all.