I haven't been riding long enough to be familiar with all the different brands and options you all are discussing, and I also hate to comparison shop (which I know would be worthwhile to do but I just don't have the patience for it), so I just walked into my local bike shop, explained the situation, and bought what the guy recommended - a Diamondback Crestview hybrid. Although I haven't found too much discussion of this bike here or elsewhere on the 'net, I have to say that I have no complaints with it. It has 24 speeds, handlebar shifters (love 'em!), and caliper brakes. I won't go so far as to say "buy mine, it's the best", because I don't have the experience, but I can certainly say that I'm satisfied with it.

To put this into perspective, my situation is that I go about a 10 mile round trip on small-town roads, moderate hills, some shoulders some not, in a climate ranging from 90 degree F summers to sub-zero F winters. The only time I don't ride due to weather is in snow or ice, because I have not yet taken the plunge to studded tires.

Anyone else here have any experience with this bike?