MinnMan

Up until recently, my wife didn't ride at all, but two years ago we were in Australia for a while and a bicycle was needed for commuting and so we bought a low end Trek Hybrid - 7.0 FX for about $350. To my delight, she enjoyed riding and began to do some recreational riding, and this has increased with time. Now, in warmer months anyway, she rides 3-4 times/week, with rides up to 30 miles on the weekends. She says she's not really interested in speed, but it's not unusual for her to come back from a ride and tell me that she was pleased because passed so and so on the trail (particularly if it's some guy who thought he could pass her because she's female). I seldom ride with her, but I know she's getting faster and I think she's normally riding 12-14 MPH average speeds.

She has a birthday coming up, and I think she would enjoy moving up to a better, possibly faster bike. The problem is that she's resistant to drop bars, so many obvious options are out. (Similarly she's still resistant to lycra, to clipless pedals, etc. I don't push any of this - it's her ride.). Can any of you who know about hybrids (I know next to nothing) suggest a nicer ride? I'd be willing to spend up to ~$1200 or so.