Newbie here, so plz bear w/me. This may not be the proper forum, but I picked it because I could eventually see me (hopefully) commuting. It would be approx 12-14 miles ow.

I am 45 yrs young and about 35 lbs overweight. I just moved into a new place that is very close to a PAVED trail (walking, running, biking, etc) and thought what a great way to get back into shape. I will buy a bike and ride. Now here about 15 yrs ago, I was in shape. I would bike to work for my daily exercise. I was into jogging big time until I blew a knee. So I was talked into a mtb. The commute with those tires was a bear, but I did get into shape. However, my back and my rear end hated every minute of it, so alas, the fun was gone and the auto reigned once more. The Trek that I paid 500 bucks for however ended up being a great coat hanger. Ah, regrets, I've had a few.... (you know the rest of the story).

15 years later - fast forward to present, empty nest, divorced. I remember back then my kids and at that time my wife, we all had to have bikes. My son went w/specialized (didn't think too much of it then and now after riding one I still feel the same way). I had a Trek - at that time I was told it was one of the best. My then wife had a GT, and daughter ended up w/ a Giant. I always liked the Giant and I don't know why (seemed more comfortable to me). It was approximately 1500.00 of fancy coat hangers and spiders dreams. Anyway, I digress.

I want a hybrid so it is comfortable. I know if I don't feel comfortable, its just going to be a spiders dream (once again), and my dream (and believe you me, it is a dream) of looking like Lance are out the window. Main goal is to lose weight, w/ a possibility of commuting, but also want the flexibility of perhaps riding the mountains. I like how far they have come in designing bikes anymore. Seriously thought about an Ebike (there goes the mountain option-but then I'm not sure I could propel my big ass body 14 miles w/out a little help) - a little hesitant about those. Don't want to spend more than 350 or so (again, an Ebike I found at a pawn shop for 500.00- BUT if it motivates me then its money well spent). Like I eluded to earlier, I have recently test drove a Specialized, a Giant, and a Trek. Fell in love w/ a Trek 7100 until just today I finally found a dealer in the area who carries Giant. Oh my goodness, my rear end was in butt-heaven. It was love at first sitting. A Giant Sedona DX. Problem is, it's approx 100.00 buckeroos more than the 7100 that I rode last week. Thinking about trying the 7200 because it is closer in price to the Sedona DX, but the Trek dealer is farther away than the Giant dealer, and the Giant dealer is throwing in quite a few extras (5 yrs of tune-ups, a tool kit, etc,etc.) I have learned through this forum (which is top-notch, and yes I have been lurking - sorry) that you not only buy a bike, but a shop. Both shops have been around at least 25 yrs or more, so I am not worried about that.

Any thoughts are very much appreciated. I hope I didn't bore anyone to sleep. And yes, I do tend to go on and on. And I'm sure to a lot of you guys, 350-400 dollars is nothing, but, as my kids always remind me, I tend to be cheap. I am always reminded of our vacation to Disney World, I wanted to buy a hat. A simple 15 dollar hat. Well, yes, you guessed it - we hit every frickin' gift shop in the whole compound. I will never live that down.

THANKS GUYS AND GALS !!!!

John