Well, it looks like.... from a quick look at this, it's not about the sprocket tooth count as much as it is the combination of tooth count AND link count, which I probably won't know till I get it mounted. So... Maybe the tooth count obsession is meaningless? It turns out... Nope... it's not meaningless. The prime numbers, like 17/47
will give an optimal wear pattern, but it seems as though the other side of the story is not completely known. The nonprime sizes depend upon the number of links and will always be less than the optimum provided by a prime tooth count.
Wear - The TheoryFor a non-prime count, 46 does rather well under all conditions. There are some other interesting things. Take a look. Getting the right combination, though.