Recreational & Family - best bike?

I'm looking to buy a bike that i can use for fitness and recreation. I'm mostly going to be riding on paved roads. I've looked at only one bike so far and i liked it (Giant Cypress SX). It's a hybrid bike with road bike components. What does everybody think of this bike? What other bikes are worth looking at for my needs? Thanks

Any good quality hybrid or mtn bikes with "slick" tires should do you just fine.

I personally enjoy a true "road bike" for pavement riding, but the cost is probably more than the Giant.

Look at Specialized, Trek, Raleigh, Cannondale, Jamis, and many other quality brands. They will all be good.

The most important thing is that it really and truly "fits" you, and that you think it is great. That way you will ride more and enjoy it more.

Have fun.

Good to see another MS. Look at trek 7300 & 7500. May be a little more expensive but worth a look. Where do you plan on riding?

I like my Trek 7500fx for all around riding. A hybrid with road bike wheels and more of an upright seating position. I also ride a road bike, but like the Trek for its versatility.

It really depends on how level the roads are. If they're mainly level, I'd buy a bent. Yeah, they are more expensive, but you'll exercise more of your muscles too. And the ride is much more comfortable for long distances too.

I have a Trek hybrid and I prefer my road bike any time over the hybrid. If you are riding for fitness, my vote would be go for a road bike. They are better (more comfortable and more efficient) on longer rides (over 10 miles). If you are athletic at all, you will be going over 10 miles in no time and wishing you had a more efficient machine. I just had a friend of mine go through this and he started with the hybrid and then bought a road bike.

I have a Trek 7300 that I bought in August. I have almost 1000 miles on it so far with no problems. I put 90 miles on it last weekend. I'm planning on my first century on February. Maybe since I don't have a road bike I don't know what I'm missing. I usually average 12 to 14 miles per hour. Maybe I could go faster on a road bike. Not in it for the speed, though. (Not yet).

Cheers

Don't get me wrong, my daughter rode an MS150 in July on my Trek hybrid. She did all her training on the Trek and had no problems whatsoever. But, I'm willing to bet that once I get her on a road bike, she'll not ride the Trek next July.