Lots of ideas here for me to digest - and put into my spreadsheet to see the gearing ratios. I appreciate the feedback about less-than-ideal road gearing and spinning out at 16mph would be bummer. Yes, I'm gear chasing due to getting old. 😫 But I'm not throwing in the towel yet. Riding the mtb is an idea too though not as much fun (plus the thing is a 35 pound tank). I definitely blew my RD capacity as it is right now.

Would be great to find a long cage RD retrofit that would work with my current wifli derailleur ...