me3 chiming in on the hybrid. If you decide to go with a road bike I would say go with the cheaper one for now in case you decide you don't really wanna be a biker or you need the money for school etc etc. Coz I can just about promise you - even if you go with the more expensive model, it won't be good enough for you down the road - you'll want an even MORE expensive model! LOL

I'm voting for the hybrid coz it is faster than a Wal-Mart special, it'll keep up with your friends, and it'll take a beating if it has too. I rode over 1000 miles on my "comfort" bike before I got a vintage road bike. I'm still thinking about using the comfort bike for my winter commuter - which brings up another point. If you're planning on riding through the winters - they can be pretty nasty in OK yes??......and the skinnier tires and the harrier handling of a road bike on slick roads could be scary. whereas the hybrid has slightly wider tires and the handling isn't so harrier fast.