Shopping for a decent hybrid - Giant, Kona?

This past weekend was devoted to shopping for a decent hybrid. I won't be doing really rough trails, I just need something that will handle some hardened recovered rail trails, that kind of thing).

I narrowed it down to the Giant FCR 3 for women or a Kona Dew Plus Special (both are similarly priced around $500 - 550 CAN$). The Giant is more attractive in terms of paint job - the Kona my husband calls 'ugly' but he feels it is better quality (he is buying one too).

The Kona has a Deore rear derailleur, while the Giant has a lesser Altus (but honestly, do I really feel the difference on the test ride, not really - will I feel a difference in the future? I don't know these things well enough).

The Kona I can buy from a very nice around-the-corner bike shop; the shop with the Giant is not so convenient. That is also a factor.

They are both good bikes and I don't think I could really go wrong with either. It is getting to be flip the coin time. Any opinions or experience with these bikes? I am open to other brands as well... Any help is very much appreciated.

I've had a Kona Dew and a Kona Smoke (similiar to the Dew, but steel with 26 inch wheels and cheaper components) (although the newer model has 29inch/700c wheels)

I loved and adored both bikes. They are "bombproof." Sturdy, willing, and sweet-tempered.

The Smoke is now my son's bike, and I traded the Dew in on a Surly Cross Check. There have been many times I've wished I'd kept the Dew, and I often give the Smoke a pat... cuz someday my son will out-grow it and it will be MINE again! (I plan to make it into an Xtracycle.)

You can upgrade the heck out of a Kona Dew, the frame is the same for all the models. It has just some lovely, lovely geometry.

Oh, and I did a triathlon on my Dew. And I kicked butt. Good bike!

Kona is based in Ferndale, Washington. My old stompin' grounds. In fact, they had a bike-for-kids program at my old Junior High recently. So, I have a soft spot for them. (I found out about the Ferndale connection *after* I'd already bought my Dew and fallen in love with it.)

I came home last night telling my husband that I was pretty sure my mind was made up and it was in favour of the Kona, so you what you are saying is good to hear.

My opinoin: The shop.
Assuming cycling is going to become part of your life - and you sound susceptible to the addiction - you need a good reliable connection to keep up the habit.

You could also check out the Raleigh Cadent FT line- I have a FT 1 and love it. seriously.

We picked up our bikes last night! After a lot of back and forth and changing our minds over and over, we settled on our first choice, the Kona. It is a very nice ride. We are really happy buying so close to home, and the guy is really nice - it is a tiny shop, he has been there 15 years.

Side note: Within minutes of owning the bike I went over head over heels on it, my very first spill since I start cycling again. It was really stupid - I had commuted home in my cycling clothes, hot day, really sweaty. I took them off, washed them, had a shower. Once my husband came home, we left to get the bikes, and since this shop is so close I didn't think it necessary to change into biking shorts. The pants I had on were summer pants with the roll ups that can button up. I should have clipped my pants or rolled them up first, I was not thinking. It was starting to rain and all we could think about was getting home. The moment I started cycling I noticed my pants were touching the chain - I should have stopped right then. As I reached down to pull the pants up on my leg, I lost my balance and fell head over heels. Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I was within view of the bike store. The guy at the bike store was really nice, he readjusted my tire. Live and learn...