Fully agree that it's great that the bike got me into riding. I'm only bitter because I replaced it so quickly. My "learning curve" may be shorter than average though.

Whether or not it's the right bike all depends what your riding goals are. Mine from the start (bought the bike in July) was to get to 18 mph avg on my commute (computer calc). Test rides were 12-13 mph at first. Didn't take long to hit 14 and then 15. I can hit 16 on the road bike now. Only 15 on the Trek. The 15 on the Trek is more tiring than 15 on the Schwinn. I am sure 18 is do-able on a hybrid. I passed a dude on the MUP yesterday who was kickin it sitting very upright and relaxed. If I slacked my pace at all he'd have caught up and passed, which I am sure he enjoys immensely. I'm rambling...but the point is I will get to my goal more quickly and enjoyably with a road bike. If you goal is a comfortable, versatile, and reasonably quick riding...then your bike will suit you just fine.

As stated earlier, I have it equipped with fenders to commute in the rain. No reason to subject the nice lugged steel frame to it if I don't have to (though fenders would fit if I swapped the 27" rims to 700c). I have platforms and toe clips on the Trek so I can ride in regular shoes for short errands or riding casually with the wife.

The Trek is by no means a poor ride. However, with a rack-equiped road bike to compare directly, the hybrid does not suit my preferred riding style as well 90% of the time. Take today for instance. Wind gusts on the way home were up to 30 mph. That sucks in a full tuck on the road bike. I haven't encountered those kind of winds on the hybrid yet, but I would either be forced to slow down seriously or have to lay down on top of the handlebars...eww. My posts are too long.