You know, it probably doesn't matter too much what you get because in a year's time you're going to want a better bicycle! I'm speaking from my own experience. I started out with a mountain bike. The next year I got a hybrid. The next year I got a road bike. The next year I got a better road bike! I still have the hybrid for around town & commuting. My road bike is a dream. Oh yeah, I also have a Schwinn I bought in 1973 and painted 57 Chevy green that lives at our business that I use to run to the bank and post office. It's so heavy that I could never get it over even the slightest hill. It has a basket on the front and is adorable. (I digress!)