You have a different sweet spot than I do. The entire bike costing < $500 is the sweet spot for me. I bought a $300 bike and happily rode it all seasons for 12 years before replacing. I honestly could still be riding it, I bought a road bike out of curiosity, then a dedicated winter bike, both cost more than that hybrid, but I'd be perfectly happy back on the $300 bike. Didn't really ever cause me much grief.