Sean and Johng...I'm sure I'm over-thinking this but here goes:

If a "min up elev near stall speed" is the goal then is it not possible you'd have down elev when trimmed for higher speeds ? And if so do you think the increased profile and induced drag of the elev is compensated for by a reduction in induced drag for the wing? Do you gain or lose top end performance?

My own goal thus far (being newer at all of this) is simply to avoid big trim changes while inverted as well as the "pitchies" (a highly technical term )

Thanks for your responses, I'm learnin' a bit here and there, Don.