find a 1980's japanese built bike, you will be LIGHT YEARS ahead of all of this. Or if you can find a deal on an early Trek 5, 6 or 7 hundred series bike.. look for Miyata 610/100, Schwinn Voyageur touring bike (not walmart hybrid), univega grand tourism, etc. etc. Call me crazy but these bikes can be had in the $300 +/- range and are far superior to the modern chinese bikes.