Thanks, Andre and Dan. Be interesting to know what Frank Revelo's experience has been, a year and a half later. Your observation about dust entering the system via the exposed teeth at the rear of the 36T 'ring seems relevant, Dan, particularly for your use of the Nomad in the dusty conditions of Eastern Oregon & Western Nevada. Would the same problem hold in different conditions, I wonder--say, rain? (I've valued the 'glider especially for the protection it offers to the front of the chain in the wet--and this, even with the protection from my 52 mm fenders with mudflaps.)
Think I'll resort to the strategy of Judicious Delay--just wait for a while--to see how another riding season plays out with my 38 x 17. A 36 x 17 would give me slightly more than 5% lower gear-inches in each ratio, useful on steeper hills with a loaded bike, for sure.
Maybe I'll send a message to Hebie arguing the case for a 36T 'glider: "If you build some, they will sell."