Sooo many questions...

[jacobgraff84]

I'm new to the bike world. I haven't ridden a bike since I was 15, I'm 27 now. I am looking for a bike to ride to work. It's about 20 miles round trip. Flat, pavement, long stretches between traffic lights. I would also like the option of going off road a bit sometimes. Nothing crazy just ride an easy trail or something. I'm thinking a hybrid is right from what I have read. My price range is 250 to 350, any and all advice would be appreciated. Thanks! On, I'm 5'7". I think that matters for sizing. Haha

 

[Cubist]

When you say pavement, do I assume you mean metalled rather than unpaved roads? (otherwise you will be calling down a shitstorm from some commuters on here )

Your budget is perfect for a Carrera Subway : rigid fork but 26" wheels with decent fat tyres. They have a very good reputation on here. http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/... 2011/2012 - Medium 18""&source=shopping#tab2

 

[Dave7]

What you need is the bike I am selling.......nothing else will do you-it must be that one
Oh BTW it's a hybrid and I'm 5' 7" (see for sale items)
Failing that I would definitely go hybrid for waht you need.

 

[Monkspeed]

I think a hybrid would be OK but you would probably need to get some wider tyres for the offroad bits, but then you wouldn't have nice front shocks or disc brakes which IMO if you had those things would give you a much nicer ride on loose gravel, mud etc and much better braking especially when the rims get wet.

THIS looks good for £350, I have not personally seen or ridden it though so just going by looks. I cant find info on its cassette and chainset though.
You can lock the front suspension when riding to work, but the wider tyres will make you work a bit harder on smooth terrain, so you may want get more narrow and smooth tyres for the work run and put the thick ones back on when hitting the trails.

EDIT: Or THIS one with SRAM gears. (the other is Shimano)

EDIT EDIT: or THIS, it is a hybrid though with no shocks but looks like a good spec.

EDIT EDIT EDIT!: THIS another hybrid, bit over budget but nice spec.