As others have said, avoid anything from a superstore, Dicks, Kmart, Walmart, Meijer(midwesters), etc. Whenever someone asks me about getting a bike that is the advice I give and everyone I know who goes to the superstores walk out with junk.

Perfect example, a few years back(~2000) after i bought my old Trek, my buddy wanted to start riding. I told him to wait a few months, save his money and buy a quality bike for around $400+. He was impatient and decided to go to walmart and pick up a NEXT brand bike. He spent about $150(could have waited a month and afforded the $400 bike). When he first got it all he talked about was how I got ripped off because he got the same bike for 1/3 the price...that is until 1 month later, almost every bearing on his bike was junk. His derailleur wouldnt move his chain more than a few gears and his brake cables were all stretched out.

Needless to say that bike was a paperweight after one month and I still have my Trek as a back up bike and it is still functioning great with just basic maintenance.

When it comes to bikes, you absolutely get what you pay for. Dont skimp wait the extra months to save the money if you have to, you will not regret it.