If you look in chain catalogs you'll find that most manufacturers would like 17T to be about the smallest sprocket used. Overly-small sprockets do not make for happy chains.
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When you have gearing that is too tall, you are in between your optimal gearing, and it is an inconvenience. When you have shorter gearing and wish for taller gears, they will NEVER be there. You can always shift down(unless you are in 1st..), but no matter how many times I lift up on the shifter there won't be a 7th gear.
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You might be surprised at how many racers I've explained that to just don't get it. They keep thinking that if they had "4:11 gears they'd really get lost".
If you get a tail wind with the short gearing your ICE is at risk of over-revving, where with tall gearing you just go faster.
cheers,
Michael