Stopped in my LBS this morning to poke around. I need some help...the "hybrid" bikes I saw remind me of (pardon the stereotype) a Grandma bike. The flat bar road bikes look more like a bicycle to me. Someone tell me I'm wrong...and why.

The salesman, when he heard I wanted to bird, took me to the hybrid section. Then, we he heard I also wanted to ride for fitness, took me to the flat bar road bikes. So, what do I choose? I'm used to road bikes and I'm afraid a comfort bike will put me too far upright and be harder to ride for fitness.

Urgh. This is confusing.