Mainly because there's no real need offroad – even top XC racers don't spin out a 44×11.

Back in the day, pre-compact when a cassette's smallest sprocket was a 12, 48s weren't uncommon but that's the same ratio.

You can get bigger rings nowadays still but they're not normal so you'll have to look a bit harder for them – companies like TA make them IIRC. Worth a look at SJS cycles too who sell them for touring (since you should only really need it that big for road riding).

A normal long mtb rear mech will be fine assuming you're not going silly and fitting a 52 or something.

Which generation of XTR? If it's M960 you're stuck, if it's M970 you can fit what you want in the way of a bigger one.

I've got a 40t big ring, and don't feel the need for bigger.

Just how fast is your mate?!

I'm happy to quote figures 🙂 I also have big legs 🙂

44×11 would be comfortable even if you're grinding along at 70rpm cadence, producing a speed of 22mph (70/min x 4 (ratio) x 2.1m (approx circumference of 26" wheel) = 588m/min = 35.3km/h = 22mph). Up that to a more reasonable 80 cadence and the speed is 25mph!

So you're suggesting that your mate rides for extended periods at 22 to 25mph offroad? He needs to get on to British Cycling and tell them he's offering a guaranteed gold medal at the World Champs! 🙂

Big legs = Speed 🙄

If that was the case there would be some really fast guys in my local McD's and KFC! 😆

Well, it's whatever works for you and if you like a 46 then fine. That answers the original post, yes you can go bigger.
I'm more interested in going smaller as I find a 44 too big. Mainly in terms of clearance, a 44 outer takes quite a bit of beating. I'm interested to know where njee20 got that 40T ring from? I quite fancy giving one of those a try!

Another question (possibly silly). How small can big chainrings go? I'm running 22/36/bash at the moment, which I quite like but wondering whether 22/32/38 or thereabouts might not make sense. I went double because I was mainly using the big ring to tension the chain downhill not because I needed a bash on there particularly.

I answered it too 🙂

And just questioning the need isn't belittling unless you're a really sensitive soul,just trying to stop someone wasting money on something that they don't really need. Plus, the OP did actually ask if there was a reason why people don't have them!

FWIW, I've recently gone to a 2×9 setup 24/36 and 11-34 – pretty much all the gears that I need for offroad (actually, and on road since I do spin 🙂 )

you must live somewhere where riding is downhill…unless your far far stronger and faster than absalon who runs a 40t outer ring.Ring up phil dixon because im sure he'd like to see your big legs ;)maybe just practise pushing a smaller gear..its all over better for you.

Why is spinning better? I prefer pushing a bigger gear.

You saying I'm unfit?

I think he is 😉

Willy waving will win no favours on here, neither will shoddy mechanics 😉

Do you really notice that!? No I didn't think so.

That will only work if you have a 68mm b/b, and I'm not sure I like the idea of intentionally taking chunks out of ones chainstays! Each to their own though.

Aaah! That makes a lot more sense.

What on earth are you doing riding a 36lb MTB on road rides? How unpleasant.

The thing is a lot of the big gear pushing is a bit of a myth. Big Mig was a bit of a grinder, but a bit of a grinder for a pro roadies is generally spinning more than most non-pros and if you look at cadences most of the time, you'll see that the pro grinders are only really grinding when working really hard – eg most of the time in the peloton, they're actually spinning along at 90ish rpm.

Even Jan Ullrich, the consummate grinder typically used to spin at 80+ except when really under the cosh when he'd drop to 70ish.

It goes without saying that there's a cadence over which you become less efficient again 🙂 However, if you really needed me to say that to understand, Aidy, over a certain cadence you start to get less efficient 😉

Yes but again, only for a relatively short time (1hr max, typically more like 40mins) – he didn't ride the whole tour like that.