Mtn_Chick -- I like the multiple personalities of the hybrid. From pavement to gravel to cutting across the grass, hybrid does it all without havinbg to worry too much about it. I've not heard of the Miele bikes. A woman in my building rides the Bianchi Milano. If you like retro styling it is a very pretty bike -- hers is black and like Italian shoes or clothes reflects a tasteful stylish designer. I don't know how it rides and the women who rides it has such a short commute her comments are probably not that relevant. I'll toss in one plug for the Fuji Supreme. I've ridden mine almost 6,000 miles through gravel, dirt, mud, snow, ice, some single track and even pavement and the bike has done it all without problems.