I currently have an 8 year old, $40 "after Thanksgiving Wal-Mart special" "Mountain Bike". I am a 48 year old male and I have started to ride (for exercise and enjoy the scenery) around home on "chip and seal" (gravel pressed into tar) and paved roads. I usually ride an 11 mile ride a few days a week and would like to work up to maybe 20 to 25 miles maybe three days per week. I would also occasionally ride on some bike trails. These are mostly paved but some have crushed limestone. I was thinking about a used bike but my wife said it doesn't make sense to buy a used bike now and then a new bike in a few years. So, I'm going to seriously shop for a new bike. I would say my top limit is $400 because I know I can get a lbs quality bike for under $350 (see 1 and 3 below).

Here are three that are currently under consideration:
1. Norco Yorkville for $330 at a lbs. Talked to this guy about used and he was very helpful and informative.
2. Another local shop showed me their entry level bike for $400. I'm pretty sure it was Trek but I don't know the model.
3. Third local shop told me "a little over $300". I think that was a Giant.

I am mechanically inclined (I work on my lawn mower and car) but have not done much with bikes so I don't think I want to buy online because I want the bike tuned properly! There are a number of other local bike shops around. Thoughts and suggestions on what I should look for?

First thing we need to know if you want to ride on gravel/crushed stone you need tires at least 32c or bigger (about 1.5 inches give or take a little). If you don't plan on off roading or mostly using smooth paths you don't need a suspension fork. From there you have to decide if you want a faster bike like a road bike or hybrid or something more stout like a MTB or Comfort Bike. Also consider if you plan to use a bike rack or to haul things. Will you ride in winter (if it snows there)?

I plan on only very occasional gravel or crushed stone. If I have a bit narrower tires, what happens when I ride on the gravel/crushed stone? After describing my expected riding to the lbs (number 1 in previous post) he suggested the Norco Yorkville if I wanted to go new. According to the online specs, this would have CST C-1096 700x35C tires. This seems to agree with your recommendation.

I do not plan on off roading at all. Yes, mostly smooth paths and roads.

I like to sit more upright and think a hybrid is probably what I want. I'm not looking to race anyone other than myself.

No, I don't expect to haul anything other than water & snacks if I go on a really long ride.

No, I don't plan to ride in the winter; I HATE being cold.

OK for that the Yorkville will work, Fuji Crosstown 2.3 will work. Raleigh Detour will work. All three of those are in your price range, woulds suite your purposes and can be ridden on crushed stone/gravel but are great for paved riding and provide more upright positioning. Also, they all have pretty similar components, quality woise. The Yorkville is right in the same category as these three. So, I'd probably go see if you can test ride some of those and see which one you like best.

Well, without knowing which model of Trek and Giant you're looking at, it's hard to say much about them.

The Norco looks like a nice hybrid well suited to your needs. At your price point, you're likely looking at an alloy frame with steel fork -- the steel is heavier than aluminum, but will absorb more shock (which is very nice). You're also looking at pretty low-level Shimano group sets, with 21 (7 X 3) or 24 (8 X 3) speeds. The good news is that even the lower-end Shimano stuff is pretty good and reliable. If you find the brakes somewhat lacking, you can often improve them significantly by simply buying better brake pads (e.g., Kool Stop).

Any of these bikes will serve you tons better than your current ride. Try them out on test rides and see which one you like best.

Have fun!

Giant makes great bikes, for not a lot of money!

Thank you for everyone for the thoughts and advice. I just bought a Giant Cypress DX for $368 at my lbs. Plus, $11 for the kick stand. They have 20% off right now because they are going to quit selling Giant but will continue servicing them. I have at least one other local shop that sells Giant so I know I will have service available. It has front shocks and spring in the seat post. I realize these add weight and some loss of power. But, I think these will add to my riding enjoyment.

Interesting: I just saw a picture of the 2013 Cypress DX and it looks like the 2013 did not have a chain ring guard and a spring in the seat post.

I was of the same mindset of buying new vs used....especially since most of what I was finding for sale used was overpriced for what it was. I was almost ready to pull the trigger on a new bike when a 2013 Trek FX 7.2 Hybrid popped up on Craigslist. The owner bought it last year, but he's military and was getting ready to PCS and didn't want to take it. Guy was asking $350. I went over and rode it, offered him $300, and took it home. It was around $500 new. Bike rides perfectly....I bet it didn't have 50 miles on it. From the time the ad popped up until I put it in the truck was about 1 hour....the deals don't last long.

Peruse your local Craigslist too....you might get lucky and find something really nice if you're willing to be patient. I'm 50 years old and needed an outlet for work stress....and started peddling my old Wally World special mountain bike. It worked great, and I rode it 250 miles before I realized I really did need a better bike. Getting back into bike riding is the best decision I've made in years. I've knocked out another 300 miles on the Trek, and it's been a joy.

Good luck and happy shopping.