maelochs
thanks much for your wisdom. very informative and generous to direct less experienced bike riders like myself in the right direction. i was in need of a bike sturdier and with wider tires than my fuji absolute 5.0, which is a hybrid. in these parts,nassau and suffolk county in new york. our roads years ago were just fine to use thin racing tires and wheels that were not thick, and sturdy, and low end racing bikes would fit the transportation bill. nowadays one needs alot of rubber on the tires and alot of metal on the wheelset and at a low price point the haymaker seems to be in the running, so after much thought, hoping it will last for years riding on pavement i purchased it. as far as a good mountain bike for off road, i know nothing at all about that, and have only on necessity of going through the woods to get from point a to point b used my bikes.