My wife's 2011 Author Outset

[Avua]

Bought it in March as a present for my wife. She's quite happy with that (:
Low-budget MTB with Shimano Revoshift grip shifters. A little bit heavy though but what can one expect from a bike with 320$ price tag. Czech brand.

[JohnV]

Doesn't really matter who makes the bikes as long as they don't give you too many problems and they ride nice. In the long run, it's really all about the riding and not who made it and how much it cost you. Here in America, that seems to be the thing, "My bike is so much better because it cost so much more."

[Avua]

True, but I think it doesn't fit the Chinese bicycle brands. They are ultimately heavy, impossible to adjust, look terrible (notable for large "Shimano" label on the frame), full-suspension bikes barely function. They are cheap at least, but buying such bike would be a crime itself.
I wouldn't take one for free ( :
Am still amazed how people buy them in Russia...

[JohnV]

Even some of the more expensive road bikes sold here in the US are made in China. In fact, almost everything sold here is made in China.