Originally Posted by
AndrewP
It is road bike as it doesnt have cantilever brakes for mud clearance. The thumb buttons for shifting to smaller rings/cogs cant be operated from the drops, so this bike isnt suitable for riding fast in a close pack of riders, but they operate easily from the hoods. That is a good moneys worth if you can do the assembly and adjustment. You may find you need to change out the brake pads for Cool-stop ones. Buy a floor pump so you can put 100 psi in the tires without exhausting yourself.
Have done enough of my own maintenance not to be deterred by assembly and adjustment. Doubt if I will be going fast in a close pack and actually prefer using the hoods most of the time. Already have a good floor pump.