I've been really happy with my Giant Cypress hybrid as my starter bike. I took it to a different LBS for tuneup & to check fit (the shop I bought it from closed its closer location) and the seasoned fellow there said he thought it was a great bike for me right now. I kind of think of it as my "pony." Someday I'll graduate to a palamino stallion and rule the roads , but the pony will always have a warm spot in my barn.