I bought one last year. They downgraded the components on the road models (except at the high end) this year, but I'm not sure that carried over to the other models -- they DID reduce the price on those models, which compensates for that affect anyway. Since we had an REI member 20% discount at the time (last spring), we bought three of them at 20% off (which was significant on $1400 bikes!). My husband has the Express, my dad the Strada, and I the Carema Pro. All are 105s all around, and road bikes (the Express is flat bar).

Components for components, it seems to be a lot of bike for the money. The problems I've had have been fit and tune related, which are problems with any bike. I haven't read any negative reviews or anything of them myself. We debated before buying them, and decided getting into riding on a good bike for the money was more important than debating the benefits of one brand or another. If I wanted another bike and they had what I wanted, I'd test ride and consider it just like any other candidate. If I were buying another bike, I'd probably have different requirements this time, though.

I'd say, if he likes the bike, it's a nice ride, and it's got the components you want/need... go for it. If it gets him out there... it's good!

I am curious as to other opinions.