I have had a Trek VW Jetta model for 8 years now never a problem. Like 89911 the store was awesome, let me take the bike for a ride down the road and up some nearby trails, I drove 3 different bikes before I decided on the one I have.
I am about to get my son one now, he is 13 and it should last him 10 years or more. We are looking in the 300-400 range.
This was posted on another forum, just for you Byron.
http://www.whoisthemonkey.com/videos/13/amazing-urban-mountain-biker