+ aliens. It always pulls my chain when folks hammer on hybrids around here. Especially when they imply I'm stupid because I like them(I distinctly remember one person posting that hybrids should be illegal). At Bike to Work Day here in DC,most of the bikes that showed up were hybrids or MTB's.

If you're riding open roads or trails,or doing centuries,then a road bike makes sense. But in a heavily urban area like DC,they quickly lose their advantages. Lightweight wheelsets don't like potholes,ruts,and curbs. I've had two friends get blowouts from potholes running 23's,I don't run anything skinnier than 28's and have had zero probs. Most road bikes won't take full fenders. Few can be had with disc brakes,which have many advantages for commuters,especially in bad weather. And drop bars are mooted in heavy traffic. The multiple hand positions aren't necessary when you can't go for more than a mile or so without having to stop at an intersection,most don't have cross levers limiting your ability to cover the brakes,and riding in the drops makes it hard to see up over cars and gives you a smaller silhouette.

Sorry for the bit of threadjack,but folks need to understand that we don't all ride the same way. We all have different road surfaces,traffic,skill levels,and physical needs.