I have purchased this bike just over a year ago. It is great. I just returned from a 140 mile (7 days) bike/camping trip and have to say I would ride this bike again over many of the other bikes in the past I have rode for this camping trip. I used to have a Diamond Mountain Bike, but this bike was much more smooth to ride and very accomodating for my height and size. (6'1, 299lbs) The bike spec says 250lbs max, but I have been riding this bike now and am down to 299. I started at around 390lbs when I purchased this bike last year and now am down close to 100lbs. It has only 7 speeds, has a Shimano derailer and I have not had to change the tires yet and I assume I have over 3000 miles on the bike.