I put it together as is just to try it out. Out of the box, the rear brake is mounted and connected all the way to the bars, the front brake is assembled and hanging from the bars. I'm going to get some other bars soon. The brakes will come off with these stock bars. And some pedals that are easier to get into.

I've taken it around the block a few times. It's twitchy, but maybe they are all like this? I got an aluminum frame because I've never had an aluminum bike before. I wanted to see what it was like.