I have a Wal Mart MTB that has not had any problems aside from a bent wheel from an accident, but the LBS was able to make it straighter than new for $15. So straight, in fact, I paid them an extra $10 to do the other one. I feel extremely lucky to have had the chance to own a full-suspension MTB for $199 so I could explore bicycling, and would recommend anyone else do the same. I tried the Craigslist route, but not being a bike person, I bought a lemon and it was quite off-putting. I'm really glad I went to Wal Mart and got a new one with a warranty.

One thing I leanred from my MTB is that I want a road bike! I would have gotten a Denali or Schwinn from a big box if they fit me, but at 5'7" they are too big. So I have to fork out the big (for me) bucks for my first road bike, even though I'll likely want a different one after I figure out what REALLY suits me, which can only come from long-term experience.

Am I excited to have a "respectable" road bike? Absolutey! But would I have liked to test out the waters with a Denali or Schwinn 700c Varsity for a couple hundred bucks first? Without a doubt. For all I know, 10 miles on a Felt 95 might tweak my back and I'll have to put it on CL and try something else. Awfully expensive experiment IMHO.