An excellent post.

Unfortunately typical modern road bikes aren't as friendly as older models. They've been re-designed in ways that make them, in the hands of the most athletic riders, marginally faster - but are much less comfortable and practial as a result. And when I say "marginally faster" I'm talking about speed differences on the order or perhaps 1% on the flat and 3% on a steep hill being the difference between an 80s steel bike and a $9000 modern carbon fibre pro racer.

My recommendation to anyone buying a mid-range hybrid is always to try a cyclocross bike as well. These drop bar bikes are designed for on and off road and are even the choice of many professional road racers for events on rougher roads like the Paris Roubaix. They're tougher, more forgiving and more practical than modern road racing bikes and, again, 99% as fast.

If you're going to ride mostly on the road then fit your crosser with slicks. The Tricross and Kona Jake will probably be the easiest crossers to find, Surly Cross Checks have a great reputation as tough all-rounders, and Bikes Direct have a range of cyclocross bikes at astonishing prices.

Both crossers and road bikes come geared faster but with hill climbing power than typical hybrids. As I'm always telling people, gears are easy to change - your LBS should be very willing to change the chain rings or cassette to get your money.