That's what I thought until I started riding one. I still feel very limited as to where I'll ride it but my confidence has grown and I'm becoming a stronger and smarter rider. The terrian around my home is simular to yours. On the flats, I can spin 15-18mph but top out down hill around 25. I'm running the s3x so climbs are not as much an issue as descents. My biggist fear is keeping up with group rides. Saturday's LI Century would have been do'able on it, I think I would have felt pretty beaten up but the terrian would not have been a problem.