Depending on how steep the beast is a lot of times I can mash it (well for the most part I usally drop down a couple of gears staying on my big ring, and failing that my second). I must admit I am not sure what the 'granny gear is' I can only guess small front/big back (1 and 1 is how I learned my gears not by their sizes so what I sound like a new rider sometimes but I can push it with the best I've met with out trouble most the time...runners background)

Elvish