I'm 52, started riding about 2 1/2 yrs ago, on a very nice used Marin Mtn Bike. Last June, I went bike shopping and tried a hybrid, it was a very nice bike, but very little change from my MTB. I decided if I was going to be a dolt and not really make a change there wasn't much point in buying a new bike, then my LBS had me try a Scott Contessa Speedster, it is woman specific, which with my shorter body, I really like. I put wider tires on it, but still very narrow compared to my MTB, I've put about 1000 miles on it and fondly call her Tessa now. I still use my Marin, but it is like two different sports, the difference between the MTB and the road bike.