52telecaster- Perhaps I read your post wrong. The "24 tons" comment didn't make sense till later. I suspect we are far closer to agreement based on this "The 36 will keep you out of the 24 in only the most extreme circumstance" as I do much the same. I have been on the same hill for 4+ hours at a time a few times in my touring life though, up to 500 feet of elevation a mile with 70+ pounds of load takes it's toll on me. At these times a gear low enough to have balance challenges is about low enough. Andy