I've got an Oval bar end lever for my front brake on bullhorns and it's the best hill climbing setup I've ever had (I live in Thetford, VT). I find that I'm out on the ends more often than I was down in the drops and especially at higher speeds, which is when I like being near the brake levers. How many teeth on your cog? I am running 48:18 in these Vermont hills and haven't had to walk yet, although I've got a 20 tooth freewheel for my flip flop, which I'll put on for long rides where there are mt. passes to deal with.