For anyone who's interested, here's a link to the Merida website: http://www2.merida-bikes.com/

It turned out that the particular model of Merida that I was first shown in the catalog was not, as I had mistakenly assumed, a $350 bike, but a $3,500 full carbon bike! And even at entry level the Meridas were more expensive than the entry level Treks that were already available here so that I wouldn't have to wait. So we picked up a Trek 4300 for me and a Trek 3700 for my wife. We went on a nice 17 mile ride up into the hills above Puerto Vallarta yesterday and so far, we are satisfied.

The Meridas look like very nice, well-made bikes for anyone looking to purchase a bike outside of North America.