[mikejr]

thanks for all the replies everyone... To answer your question Beastmaster, basically we have a ton of "rails to trails" trails around the western pa area, some are improved and some are just the old rail beds with the rails and ties removed. so they vary from smooth to damn bumpy.

Right now i have a cheap ass dunham's special, cost me all of about $130 bucks. Suffice it to say, it has no suspension, the seat sucks and the main problem, being 6'4" tall i have to ride all hunched over....and it kills my lower back. Not to mention with no suspension it shakes my kanucks off.

So i was thinking of upgrading to a good bike and wanted to know everyones opinions. I am not going to do off road trail blazing with it, but need a sturdy machine to pedal around the trails on....i weigh 240 pounds...

I am going to stop by the local cycle shop (gatto's for those local to me) and see what they have. I think they sell some of the brands you all have mentioned....