Hey all,

I just had my 23rd birthday and made a big decision - I was going to get back into shape.

When I was in primary school and then High school, I would cycle there and back every day (3 miles each way) and was in pretty good shape, however, now I am at University years later, and I have a big Motorcycle and it has made me become lazy over the past 7 years or so.

I decided to sell my big Bike and get myself a 'proper' bicycle to commute to Uni every day (about 6 miles there and 6 back this time). I am not fat, pretty small frame actually (5'11) and pretty skinny, but I am really out of shape. I have a really bad, old, battered MTB which my dad managed to find and I have been doing 45 minutes every morning on it (bike trainer) and really really starting to get into it, it isn't a chore any more to get up and cycle, I look forward to it and after the 45 minutes I am full of energy, which is why I need to sell my big bike, and get a real bicycle (If i keep the Motorcycle, I will stay stuck in this rut)

Sorry about all that wall of text, but I thought it would give a good back story to my situation, my fitness level etc, so here are the questions =D

1) I will get quite a nice amount from the sale of my Bike, so I would be able to afford a really nice Cycle, however I wouldn't want to go overboard just so I have some spare for different tyres (winter coming up) and accessories.

2) Road or Hybrid? I am using the terrible run down old MTB right now, and the bike I used to go to and from school was also a MTB (but a nice Raleigh one) and I can tell right now that a MTB would be way too heavy. The route is totally paved, cycle lanes along side Dual Carriageways - then into the city centre etc (UK)

3) If I buy on Ebay, I know it wont be specifically fit to me, and will probably not be in tip top condition, but is the cost worth it?

4) I am 5'11ish, so what sort of size should I be looking at?

5) I have heard three specific names of bikes being bandied around, those are: Carrera Subway, Cannondale Bad Boy & Cannondale Quick CX4, are these good first time choices? I know they are all hybrids, but (and I know it is probably because I am new) 'road' style bikes with drop down handlebars always seem for more serious riders or racers, and feel I would be going overboard (and over budget lol)

Sorry for the ranting, but I thought I should cram as much in as possible to avoid having to make multiple threads down the line.

Cheers.