When I get the question of "the best bike" to buy - try to dodge the question. However when pressed- IMHO, this is the "best" for many people. A steel frame "road" type of bike, Surly Pacer, is a good example among others, 28 or 32 mm tires. A 1x9 drive train with 39 t chain ring and 12-36 cassette, get red kool stop brake pads and try the new Brooks Cambrium saddle. Go with a bar end shifter, put a mirror in the left bar end. Make sure the steering tube is uncut before your final fitting, suggest keeping saddle and handle bars level. This set up is faster than a mtn bike, more comfortable on a long trip than a hybrid and more adaptable to trails and paths than a racing type road bike.