My front forks were tweaked in shipping, to the point I was worried I was going to have to send the bike back (a second time, first time shipped me the WRONG BIKE, wrong frame, wrong color, wrong wheel size). However, I was able to rectify that situation with some persuasion. I will say that, when putting this bike together, I was HUGELY disappointed in the quality of the rear derailleur. I tried to get it adjusted (not my first rodeo with derailleurs and I am mechanically inclined). No go. Bought the derailleur that should have installed on this bike to match the shifters. Should be about 18 shipped to your door and a major upgrade. The front derailleur was decent enough that I left it alone (it would actually adjust).
I have not put this on a trail yet, so I do not know how it will hold up to that abuse. I am cautiously optimistic. However, this generation is nothing like my old 1999 Mesa LE that I still have and can beat the ! out of on a trail. Granted, the two bikes are in different price categories (a bike of similar caliber to my old Mesa would be 800/1000 today), but still, it is telling that Huffy has cheaped out. I am getting older and wanted a larger wheeled bike that is lighter than my old chromoly frame.
Buy a different rear derailleur at the same time.
My front forks were tweaked in shipping, to the point I was worried I was going to have to send the bike back (a second time, first time shipped me the WRONG BIKE, wrong frame, wrong color, wrong wheel size). However, I was able to rectify that situation with some persuasion. I will say that, when putting this bike together, I was HUGELY disappointed in the quality of the rear derailleur. I tried to get it adjusted (not my first rodeo with derailleurs and I am mechanically inclined). No go. Bought the derailleur that should have installed on this bike to match the shifters. Should be about 18 shipped to your door and a major upgrade. The front derailleur was decent enough that I left it alone (it would actually adjust). I have not put this on a trail yet, so I do not know how it will hold up to that abuse. I am cautiously optimistic. However, this generation is nothing like my old 1999 Mesa LE that I still have and can beat the ! out of on a trail. Granted, the two bikes are in different price categories (a bike of similar caliber to my old Mesa would be 800/1000 today), but still, it is telling that Huffy has cheaped out. I am getting older and wanted a larger wheeled bike that is lighter than my old chromoly frame.