Here you go, OP. You nailed it on the head in your original post. Trek Dual Sport.
Geometrically, trail bikes typically have a relatively long wheelbase, long chain stays, more slack head tube angle, more forward riding position, and wider handlebar. Built for more stability on fast descents over chunky terrain.
XC bikes tend to be a bit lighter in weight, have a somewhat shorter wheelbase, a little shorter chain stays, a little steeper head tube angle, a little more upright cockpit position. Built for speed on less challenging terrain, faster on climbs, and better handling/cornering than a trail bike.
Hybrid bikes are just a little more in the direction away from the trail bike and XC bike... tend to be a little lighter in weight, slightly shorter wheelbase, slightly shorter chain stays, slightly more upright riding position, slightly steeper head tube angle, slightly less reach, slightly shorter handlebars. Thus these bikes are fast, nimble and quick, turn more readily, and maneuver with great agility. They are really fun to ride!
I took mine and switched to running tubeless XC tires: Schwalbe Racing Ray/Racing Ralph in 27.5 x 2.25" wide. And these tires actually measure a true 2.25" when they're blown up - nice!
This bike is so fast, nimble, quick, smooth as silk, solidly built, and most of all just FUN!
The Shimano CUES drivetrain is very good, but just because I could, I decided to swap in a Shimano Deore M5100 11-speed drivetrain and an XT shifter. I get some hills that can be a little steep, so having extra gears and a larger low gear made sense for my application.
The XC trails that I ride on here in Arizona are mostly loose-over-hard pack crushed granite and this is an ideal bike for these trails. Everything you need and nothing you don't.
I ride this bike on a 1/4 mile of very weathered, rugged & ragged chip seal road to get to my nearby XC trails and the tires smooth out the roughness beautifully. Then, on loose over crushed hard-pack granite, light to moderate XC trails, and smooth paved bike paths, it cruises smooth and fast across the board.
The Dual Sport is one of the very few (perhaps the only?) hybrid bike that can run XC tires up to about 2.3" in width. This capability is a HUGE benefit! Run them tubeless and you can air them down to low twenties for a plush but grippy cushion on the off-road trails, and still very fast ride. Air them up in the high 20s for smooth bike paths and just fly. Nimble, quick, and fun!
On off-road XC trails, rough chip seal roads, gravel, and smooth bike paths that I ride, with these 2.25" tires (very nice air volume to ride on) I don't miss having a shock fork, nor a suspension at all.
In fact, I don't want any suspension features at all on this bike. Just simple and solid with great tires keeping the ride cushy and fast. I'm thrilled that this bike is solid, rigid, and firmly-planted. No squishy business going on and no suspension maintenance nor complications to mess with. Simple, clean, and solid. As a bonus... these bikes are sensibly priced.
Obviously, I'm truly
very enthusiastic about the Dual Sport; it is pure joy to ride and puts a big smile on my face every time I do so.
Take just ride on one and you will instantly "get it"; they're a joy to ride and so very easy to own.