I’m not as big of a bike nut as some here, obviously, but figured I’d mention that I’ve had a Trek 430 for about 6 years now, and found that a hybrid is more than adequate for my needs (i.e., about a 10-15 mile rude on paved trails, once a week or so). Back in grad school, I rode it a lot more and sometimes took it on worn dirt trails and didn’t have any problems with it. The only warning I’d have about the brand is that I had a bitch of a time getting a repair (getting a cracked fork replaced, under warranty) done a couple years ago; I suspect that it was due to incompetence on the part of my local bike shop, but it could have been the manufacturer.
I think if you’re looking to seriously get back into recreational riding, you’re going to be frustrated with a hybrid. I’ve got one, a Marin Kentfield, I use as an urban commuter and rainy day bike, but it’s not nearly as fun to ride as my road bike, and it can’t handle any type of serious off-road riding. If you’re interested in trail riding, I would look into Mountain bike, and get a pair of slicks to go with it. Or you might be able to find a used cyclocross bike in the 500 range. If you think you’re going to be riding mostly on pavement, spend the money on a decent road bike. You’ll be able to go much faster and farther than you can on a hybrid, and it will easily last you 10+ years.
But whatever. The best bike is the one you ride, regardless of money. Have fun, be safe, and hope to see you out there.
May I press y’all for advice?
My commute to work is about 9 miles, all on paved trails/roads. I don’t anticipate doing any off-roading.
The wrinkle in my situation is: climate. The salty sea air has been terrible to my current bike–it’s rusted more in a year in LA than it did in six years in the Central Valley.
Any advice appreciated.
Sorry for re-posting the whole thing, but if the thread goes off in a tangent… Get an aluminum or carbon fiber framed bike. Or, maybe rinse it down after every ride and use a good wax on it. I just had a steel framed bike repainted by Simmoni (located your way) and most of the damage to it was sweat from riding it on the trainer. I’ve converted it to a fixed gear/fixie, with the good paint job, and wax/clean it after every ride. Salty sea air is just as nasty to steel as salt/road grime in colder climes.
I don’t have that problem. Must be all the drool washing the bike down when I ride it up here on the Peen-insula. 
I’ll say you’re nuts. I’ve waited an hour for much worse places than the Pancake Pantry, and they didn’t usually have some young starlet trying to get her songs heard by playing for the people in line.
If you go on a weekday, the line shouldn’t be anything like that long. And boy, will you be happy you did.
Hey mods–help me out–that last post was obviously meant for another thread. Just delete it, if you could.
Since you’re doing mostly road riding, I want to steer you away from any suspension components. Yes, having shocks will look cool, but it will slow you down when you’re on the road. In addition, for the money you’re looking to spend, you can get a hell of a great road bike with extremely reliable components, but if you start putting shock absorbers on there, you’re going to have the worst gear shifters, brakes, and derailleurs in the shop because the suspension costs so much.
I’ll second a suggestion for panniers over bike courier bags. Panniers don’t weigh anything when you’re riding, whereas if you carry a bag (or backpack) you’ll notice it with every bump.
Not as much as you might think 
There is actually a picture of the “snake legs” on my website if you are curious.
With reguards to the shocks, I would go for them. I don’t have any now, and when riding on uneven surfaces on a mountain bike one does notice a lot of jarring to the arms and such. Bar ends are great, and I miss mine a lot now!
I always try not to gloat too much when it comes to bikes, but if you really want a superbike, check out mine - and yes, that price is just for the frame, it doesn’t even include the forks 
Nice, but this is a superbike.
And I’m not gloating. I’m dreaming.
Ha!!! Poseurs, tha’ lot of ya!!! Ya wanna drop some jing-a-linga, spock out my fantasy ride… Litespeed, now in a mountain bike… No way, Jose!!!
This is a mild hijack of this thread–have any of you bike enthusiasts seen an infomercial on the Autobike? I used to love to rides bikes when I was younger and much thinner, but I hated to shift gears. What do you all think of a bicycle with automatice shifting?
Like this?
I don’t like autoshifters that much. With a mountain-bike style handlebar, gripshifts make a lot of sense.
Tapocia, Dag All I can say is Roadies!
Here is the wonderbike a Jekyll 3000
I was wrong on the price. It is a mear $3,999.00
My wife will kill me if I buy this bike
From what I recall, based on the Mavic system, was that it was too heavy and way too clunky. With carbon fiber seat post’s and carbon fiber cranks to shave grams, who wants to add one or two pounds of batteries?
Ha! this is what you’re looking for: The Epic
Geeze…I’d give my left leg, but then I couldn’t ride. Suppose they take kidneys?
P.S.: I have been drooling over the Jekyll for a couple of years myself. 
On a more affordable note, what do you guys think of the Hardrock Comp and the [ Rockhopper? These are actually in my (and the OP’s) desired price range.