Originally Posted by
bikeluva
Thanks everyone for their valuable input.
I wanted to give you some more background information. I live in LA. So most riding will be on pavement with occasional trail-rides and riding on Laurel Canyon
I was considering a hybrid? Is that a good choice for me?
I really like the Trek bike, is that considered a hybrid?
The category of bike is not important. You'll have much more success by defining as closely as possible your needs, riding conditions, and ambitions, and then finding a bike that fits the job.
For example, LA may not demand fenders, while longer trips and more aggressive road riding might suggest a longer, lower cockpit. Maybe you won't ride at night and don't need lights, or will do so infrequently and can trade off a dynamo hub for a lighter wheel; maybe dealing with heat means you want nothing on your back and instead use a rack system to carry stuff; maybe you just want as light and fast as possible.
Start answering those questions, and you'll be on the way to finding the best bike out there for you.