It's the same old 25" steel bike (as since the 80s), styled touring bike because it's great for that and probably also as an excuse for the bar end friction shifters instead of an XTR triple chain ring and a new indexed 10-spd cog in the back. But, for $800, sounds like dollar for dollar, it's worth it, expecially if you were planning on a tour (but then, you might need a stronger wheelset--not sure about that). If no plans for a tour, a steel bike with a CF fork probably is the low to medium end of the newer bikes.