Pros: Quick smooth shifting, responsive brakes, and the fork takes quite a bit out of the bumps in the trail. I also like how the cables run under the top tube instead along the top of it.

Cons: I would prefer softer grips, tend to hurt my hands after a long ride.

Recommendation: I couldn't ask for more out of this bike at my skill level and was right in the price range of what I wanted to spend starting to get into some more serious mountain biking. I got mine on sale for $450 at a local bike shop. For me the bike is fairly light and super fun to ride just about keeping up with my friend and is FS bike.