Haro hasn't had an american made frame in at least 5 years. Most (this goes for all manufacturers) are made by Giant these days. They are the largest frame manufacturer in the world and do most of the outsource work for every other company out there. One of the reasons I'm a fan of Giant is because you're getting the same frame without the middleman. Good bang for the buck.

As for frame material, at that price you'll be limited to aluminum. If you're getting a road bike try to find something with a carbon fork. The carbon will help the ride quality immensely. Steel has become somewhat a niche because of the proliferation of cheap aluminum from the asian market and the incorect perception that aluminum is always lighter. Through butting and shaping of the tubes aluminum has gotten a much better ride quality than the early straight-guage frames had.

I'd also avoid Schwinn. They aren't the same company from your childhood days. They're owned by a group that in the past few years *****d the name out and began making bikes that are now carried at Walmart. In the wake nearly 99% of the private bike shops out there dropped them.

While REI may be a little cheaper than a local shop, I'd go local for a few reasons. First, I worked at a shop through most of highschool and college. Second, I have friends that own shops in the St. Louis area and like to support their business. And third, while you may see a higher initial cost, I feel you'll make it up through discouts and free service in the future that REI's employees can't give you due to company policies.

If anybody here has any specific questions about repair or products feel free to PM me. Cycling is my other expensive hobby and unlike aviation there isn't too much that I haven't done on, or to a bike.