Really like this bike, but I think the 11 speeds would be a bit limiting on hills. I've talked with Joe at joebike in Portland and he's talked with Patterson and Gates about swapping to a Patterson drive up front. That would add a low-end of (I'm pretty sure) a 28t and a high of 46t. That would add up to the near perfect bike. I bought my Trek without a lot of research and I'm finding I'd like a little 'more' plus a simplified, d-less driveline. Just something I would like. My Trek shifts with zero problems, so it's got nothing to do with that. I'd like a little less weight, and probably a little more road orientation than my DS offers, without completely eliminating the ability to go dirt/gravel trails. And I'm not into drop bars as my back would never allow me that far over. The Acme looks, with the Patterson, to be a great solution.