Milzy
Guru
It’s not that I don’t have the strength to push the gear.The last twisty stretch at the top of Hardknott is very steep. If you were seriously contemplating a 36 cassette then you might struggle with a 32 out back.
FWIW I don't think I could do it even with 32 x 36.
Pretty sure the medium cage GS RD won't cope with a 36 cassette and 50/34 - not an expert on these things though.
It’s A) The parts are recently now available for road bikes.
B) They did an experiment on the GCN show up a steep climb. Spinning fast was 3 minutes quicker than grinding.
As the saying goes “Ride it don’t grind it!”