I followed this thread from the stickies as I wanted to hear some opinions regarding hybrid bikes, from the clydes.
I commute from astoria to midtown four days a week on average and do some recreational and utilitarian riding on weekends (usually no further than twenty miles so far).
Some of the negative comments about hybrids seem like unfounded bias rather than opinion based on experience.
My current eight mile route takes me over, road, gravel, woodchips, and even a little grass.
I cruise past the mtb's and can pace many of the skinny road bikers in nyc traffic conditions.
And the pannier touring guys, can't lane split up to the lights with me.
My single years experience riding an escape 2, frame size 5' 11"- 6' 2", hybrid kevlar tires, and mks lambda platform pedals, has shown me that for my environment, uses, and body type this bike is perfect.
/insert my two cents