No, it isn't that. I've ridden hills for years with a number of bikes including a lot of very steep fire roads. So i know all about that. I just find it different in a way thats not fixable with technique. In fact i would necassarily even say it's as much that it's hard (tho it is to some extent) as uncomnfortable because of the forward pedals which force you to pull on the bars and just cause a very uncomfortable feeling and position. In short it just doesn't do hills well.