Am I right to buy a hybrid?

[SpokeyDokey]

If I was looking for a "do it all" fitness/commuter/tourer I'd find it very very difficult to look past the Planet X London Road.....
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRDTIAFB/planet-x-london-road-argento-tiagra-flat-bar-bike
I don't think there's much out there at the moment that comes close for the price - They also do a drop handle version which would be more my choice, but that's personal preference,

However, as you're new to cycling I'd hesitate to recommend buying online if you're not in a position to get to Sheffield to try one (although may be worth the trip).
If there is an Edinburgh Bike Co-op near you they have several models in the Revolution lineup that may be ideal, both flat bar and drop handle.

That looks like an awful lot of bike for the money - carbon fork, Tiagra and BB7's.

(Not sure why the spec' says 22 gears though!)

 

[vickster]

Here's another nice rugged option, not much heavier and £500

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFF2FBTIA/planet-x-kaffenback-2-shimano-tiagra-flat-bar

(could do with painting though )

 

[roadrash]

vickster reccommending a black bike .......whatever next

 

[vickster]

Read the bit in parentheses

 

[Kestevan]

Here's another nice rugged option, not much heavier and £500

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFF2FBTIA/planet-x-kaffenback-2-shimano-tiagra-flat-bar

(could do with painting though )

To be fair to Planet X they also do the Kaffenback in a fetching shade of sludge.....