Yup.
Bikes is bikes. They’re all good.
I’ve got a Santa Cruz Roadster. Rather like this:-
Except mine’s got Easton finishing kit and a Record groupset (and a slammed stem, natch).
Ride it once or twice a week – brilliant for getting a solid hour or 2 of blasting in over a lunchtime without all the faff of having to deal with a filthy bike and kit afterwards.
Oh, and 53/39 + 11->25 is fine in the Peaks. It’s not meant to be easy, it’s meant to be FAST. I’ll admit Winnats hurts though…