Fifty Plus (50+) - shopping for new cycle

my 30 year old Fuji 12 is showing it's age ........ and mine too.

I've rented a Trek and Bianchi (don't know the models, but as rentals in NYC I can't imagine they are tops or the most current). They were both flat top hybrids. Even though the B was undersized for me at 16 (id' guess I need 18 or 20) it was more fun and a better ride then my 35 pound Fuji. But NYC is alot flatter then where I live.

Last year I test road bikes of all flavors at the local. Trek, Specialized, custom Surley, carbon, alum, steel. They were all infinitely better then my old pal. But prolly almost anything modern would impress.

I'd like to put in 10-20 mile rides, 3-5 times a week. The roads I ride stink and the drivers are inconsiderate.
I'd like to keep it under $1000, preferable $800. Im looking at 20 lb or so, comfy saddle & smooth gears first. Steel or alum, carbon is just overkill at his point. I'd like to have disc brakes for rain, but not at the top of the list. I use toe clips, not cages or bike shoes.
I was thinking road, but now I'm shifting a bit more to hybrid for shock absorption.

Any input, thoughts, whatever are welcome.
Thanks,

I was following you and ready to say you'll find a wide variety of entry level road bikes that fit your criteria until the very end when you threw in the shock absorption thing. I suggest you forget the shocks and look at all the road bikes available until you find the right bike at the right LBS.

I have a few comments.

I would suggest that you forget disc brakes. The brakes on road bikes work fine in the rain, it just takes a bit for the brake pads to clear the water off of the rims and then they grab. I just adjust to rainy riding by taking corners slower and approaching intersections a bit slower. Besides, very few cyclists whom I know ride in the rain EVER.

The other is shock absorption. Most of the shock absorption you will ever need on the road will be handled by just riding a tire a bit on the large side like 25 or 28 mm.

If you decide to not get a road bike, something like this might be nice:

http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/mendota

List is $1150, but I've seen them for around $1000. Carbon fork & 700x32 tires make for a very smooth ride. It does have disc brakes. I've ridden it four times and really liked it.

If you want a little bit of shock absorption, then the Trek 7500 has a small elastomer bumper built into the top of the fork. Much lighter than the mountain bike type forks.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/hybrid/7500/

The hybrids that work are the ones based on road bikes so shock absorbtion is not going to be different. If you are on the road, no matter how bad they are, forget suspension. There are other ways to improve "Comfort" on a bike. Wheels and tyres are the main one. Don't go for a radially spoked wheel (They seem to be appearing on even modestly priced bikes now) Go for one that is laced with a 2 or 3 crossed lacing. Go up on tyre size to at least a 700x28. Think about a C.F. seat post and do not get a bike with aluminium forks.

But to me-Ex mountain biker here- if you are riding the road- then get a road bike. I only made the transition to road 3 years ago and I have C.F. and aluminium bikes and they do not transmit road shock to me. If you are still convinced that a hybrid is the bike for you then test ride something like the Specialised Sirrus (Hybrid) along with the Sequoia (Road Bike) and see what is comfortable. In fact get out and test as many bikes as you can.

Test rides are the only way to see what bike is "Good" for you so get round the shops and see what is available in your price range.

thanks for all the input. I should clarify, I wasn't looking for a shock absorber device, more that I felt (and I could be wrong... ) that a hybrid has more shock absorption inherently.
I know the bikes I tried had CF forks and that prolly helps with shock too. And, I imagine the wider tires.

I never ride in the rain, but sometimes the rain rides with me.