newbie shopping for hybrid

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Huh? Have you looked at hybrids? These are not just one step above Wal-Mart bikes. The Trek 7.9fx is a carbon bike with Shimano 105 and Ultegra. Costs about $2500. You can get a verrrrrrrry nice hybrid and even the bottom ones start at $500, still outfitted with Shimano. Pretty close to prices on road bikes you can get from Trek and Specialized.

Better made than MOST Wal-Mart bikes???? Wow, that statement is so wrong...

Put on some soothing music.
The original poster asked if anyone could recommend any hybrids in the $500 range.
So, Trek makes these hybrids, some of which start around $350, I see them in stores, and yes they are definitely an improvement and better made from the typical $300 Walmart bike, which is what I said:
http://www.google.com/products?num=2...num=4&ct=title
http://revolutioncycles.com/itemlist.cfm?pageId=91
I wasn't referring to a top of the line $2500 carbon Trek when I said they were "better made than most Walmart-type bikes, yet still pretty affordable". However I am not thoroughly familiar with all the bikes Walmart might sell, so I wouldn't want to make a sweeping statement condemning all of them sight unseen. The word "most' will suffice.

Badgercat has apparently bought a 7.2FX Trek which retails for I think about $450-500 perhaps?
A smart choice for her riding plans, and I'm sure she'll LOVE this great bike!
BadgerC- we want PICTURES!

P.S. WackyJacky- that Brooks saddle looks beautiful on your bike!