The granny is a real stump-puller. It was interesting to notice over the first few years I had the bike how I would use it less and less as I rode the same moderately hilly stretches in my area. Now I try to avoid using it, but it gives me a lot of confidence on steep hills to know it's there if I need it... and there are times that I do. As I get older, I expect I'll go back to using it more.
Steve