Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This bike shifts like a 1976 Dodge pick-up with a burnt out clutch, it weighs as much as a large lunch lady, the saddle might as well be a piece of plywood and it's slow as hell - and I LOVE IT. Because I can afford it! Here's the thing about cycling: It's an amazing sport for fitness, fun and enjoying the outdoors. It's also crazy expensive to get into if you go to the Local Bike Shop (LBS) and try to get outfitted. One can easily drop $5,000 on just entry level equipment to get into this sport. That's not good at all, because riding a bike should be one of those things that everyone should be able to do easily and cheaply. I bought this bike over two years ago and it has changed the way I look at fitness and the beautiful area that I live in. Thank you Giordano and Amazon for making that experience possible when my LBS is certainly not willing to do that for this poor public school teacher. A couple of tips: 1. Take the bike into your LBS to have it tuned and initially prepped for your first ride. They will look at you like you just brought a dead puppy into their store - but F*&% them because the LBS is a hinderance to you starting in cycling when it should be a boost. So just hold your head high and pay for a good tuning. Chances are the kids in the back that actually do the work will admire you for finding an affordable bike that looks this good. 2. The next upgrade I undertook was clipless pedals. If you look somewhere like Nashbar or the Clymb you can find a set of clipless pedals shoes for less than a hundred bucks. Again, have the LBS install them, because they'll have the right tools to get the old pedals off. This upgrade will help you haul this thing up those tough hills and help you maintain speed on the flats. 3. Next priority has to be the saddle. I haven't done this yet because it's hard to stomach paying about half the cost of the bike just for the bit you sit on - but I'm beginning to understand how a comfy seat helps. The bottom line is this bike is perfect for someone who wants the thrill of flying down hills at 35 mph, the challenge of conquering those same hills on the way up and the satisfaction of getting a great workout - but who doesn't want to spend as much on a bike as they did on their first car. I've been riding this bike regularly for 2 years and I've been very happy with it. And to the snobs that pass you on their 12 ounce, carbon frame, 52 gear bikes - just smile knowing your heart is getting the same workout for a tiny fraction of the cost!