Originally Posted by victim

It's true, I don't have the $1000 and I am happy with the features on the crappy bikes. My budget is more like 3 or 400. My challenge for you all was to actually disprove this bike, which is still low-budget, but of a surprising value. I would like to take other suggestions though.

"The kind of rides I go on are mostly distance, and some mountainous. I don't drive anywhere, so I go places that are a distance away on a long river trail and I make stops at trails. my average ride is about 40 or 50 miles. I'd say only 10 of that is rough terrain. And I will be going on a 140 mile pretty soon. Mostly road, lots of dirt, some trail. Soft hills the whole way. Some steep grades."

Ummm???? You think a 40 lb bike is the right tool for the job. He should be looking at a "comfort bike". But, none of the cool kids ride them...