I haven’t owned a bike since I was about 14, I am now 29 and looking at getting back into riding for fitness for starters and then maybe progressing in a year or twos time to some serious riding!!! At the moment though I think I’m looking at getting a Hybrid, I've had a look at the Giant Cypress, the Apollo Shadow, the Avanti Discovery and the Trek 7000 my current budget is about$450 - $500 AUD I’m hoping that some one could give me some advice on any of these bikes, if one is better than the other or which way I should go.
I will be riding mainly on roads, bike paths and occasionally on loose gravel/stones.
I don't know about your selections but I do like the Fuji hybrids. And they do sell for cheap on ebay, you just gotta know your size. I saw a Fuji Sagres sell for $155.