You down play the Flatlander regarding terrain just a bit. My wife and I bought two and have found that here in the Selkirk mtns of NW Washington, we have been able to ride many of the mountain roads in the area. These roads are not just flat or rolling hills. We have been able to access areas with altitudes up to 6,000 feet. Double track...decommissioned forest service roads and even some single tracks. We may not have the mid drive but as long as we keep the cadence up, we have gone up some pretty impressive forest roads and double track trails.