We just got into riding so a good bike seemed to be a large amount of money to see if it stuck. Bought the wife a walmart roadmaster and put street slicks on it. (believe it or not shes 37 and its her first bike) but after we did our first organized 25 mile ride we are checking out a couple of "TREKS". Seemed the next sensible step. (oh, my 9 year old has a roadmaster too.)