I'm still a newbie, and I just have bought my first "good" (non X-mart) bike, a Gary Fisher Nirvana. I live right next to Mammoth Cave National Park, and ride the roads there three to four times per week. If any of you know that area, it ain't exactly flat at all. The Bike performs great, is very comfortable, is light weight, has a lockable front fork for the trails, and for this clyde it is very fast. The only thing I can really think of that I am going to upgrade any time soon is the stock bontrager seat. I think I am Brooks B68 bound. I also liked the price of my bike at my LBS, ~ $650ish