>>1936659Yeah that bike is quite good
Hybrids can be kinda meh but if it's your first bike it's probably the right thing.
I'm not sure if you're getting the right model of it.
You pay an extra $90 to get fenders, a kickstand and a rack. This is a good deal if you want fenders and a kickstand, but if this bike is gonna be mostly for leisure you probably don't. You probably just want a rack. You can get a better rack aftermarket for $90. Fenders and a kickstand can just be extra weight and hassle. Kickstands periodically loosen themselves, and can rattle, and fenders can rub and bend out of shape when the bike gets knocked around. They are fantastic for wet weather commuting but iunno if you're gonna routinely do that.
I would also strongly consider the escape disc 1. It has a carbon fork, not aluminium. This will make it ride quite a lot smoother. If you can, test ride both, and see if you can find a difference. Imo it is worth the extra money. The drivetrain spec is also better, although, not in any particularly important way.
You're right to bump your budget above the cheaper 7 speed tourney models with freewheels. These colours on the giants are also quite nice.