36 gears,10,20,30,40 doesn't mean a thing. What makes a difference is your lowest gear combo.
Triple rings in the front. the smallest ring is the lowest. If you have a 30, it will be easier than a 32.
In the rear, the opposite. The biggest cog is the lowest (easiest). SO if you have a 27 for you tallest/biggest, it will be easier than a 25.
SO you can have a triple with a 30 front and a 27 rear for a 30/27 combo. 6 gears in the rear for a total of 18 gears.
Or a triple with a 32 front and 25 rear.....32/25 combo. 10 geras in the rear for a total of 30 gears.
The 18 gears has a lower combo than the 30 gear comb. So an 18 can be easier than a 30 gear bike depending on the combo used.
Same with a double crank. 42/25 will not be as easy as a 39/27.