I've seen Maruishi bicycles as far back as the late 1970's that varied from entry level to mid range. Before mountain bikes hit the market, they were marketed under the Roadace name. These vintage models were manufactured in Japan, but I believe were designed in the USA. I was always curious why a company with a Japanese name used as kangaroo as their symbol? Alanbikehouston's workmanship comments reflect my own opinion, for the older models.

I'm not familiar with the newer models, which is what a 9 speed ATB would be. It wouldn't suprise me if Huffy or some other company had bought the name. That seems to be the trend since the 1990s. However, it is pretty amazing what they can produce these days, at a low price level. Back in the 1970s bicycle boom, $100 bought you a an all steel, 30+ lb, friction shifting, 10 speed. To-day, it gets you a bicycle with aluminum rims and some aluminum components, is sub 30 lb, has indexed shifting, at least 18 speeds and if it's an ATB maybe even front suspension (in which case the weight is probably back on par with the 1970s model). When you compare it relative to the wages from then and now, to-day's entry level bicycles are a great value.