Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 677
Likes: 175
From: Brighton, Michigan
Bikes: Optima Baron LR, '14 Nishiki Maricopa,'87 Trek 330 Elance, '89 Miyata 1400, '85 Peugeot PGN10, '04 Fuji Ace, '06 Giant Rincon, '95 Giant Allegre, '83 Trek 620, '86 Schwinn High Sierra
I was just down there riding, which included climbing up Roan Mountain and Mt Mitchell.
I have an Optima Baron LR. But for this trip, I took my DF.
Imagine stopping on a 2 wheeled bent during a 5-8% grade. Getting yourself going again would be extremely hard. Where as, on a DF, slow speed starts aren't too bad. I had to stop a few times up Mt Mitchell, not being used to the thinner air. I could never do this with my Baron. I'd fall over each try. Even if I got going again, trying to maintain a good cadence would require a lot of endurance. On my DF, geared down enough, The trip on the BRP and to Mt Mitchell was quite pleasant. Slow, but pleasant.