It seems a lot of the hybrids kinda start at $600 but we bought my wife a "KHS Vitamin A, fitness bike, (hybrid) for $420.00 to use a "commuter" back and forth to work and as a "back up" bike incase her main bike was down for maint. It's been a very good machine so far, the only change we did was have the LBS put on a step up Shimano Alivio crankset, (chain rings and crank arms), as the Shimano M-131 is a "pinned" triple, meaning you can't replace seprate "chain rings"
http://khsbicycles.com/ Still as it comes it will "do the job requried" and be better than a "comfort bike" doing "road riding". Yes, it will handle hardpack dirt roads and rail trails quite well in stock set up. JMHO, YMMV. ENJOY!
