Help me choose between these beginner bikes - Trek FX 1 Gen4, Giant Escape Disc 2, Giant Cypress 2/3, or Cannondale

Hi,

I'm a beginner looking to buy my first proper bike and after doing some research (including reading through previous posts here), I've narrowed it down to these 4 options and want to go with a hybrid bike for now:

My shortlist:

• Trek FX 1 Gen4 (heard FX1 is actually better than FX2 for beginners?) - Product page
• Giant Escape Disc 2 (avoided Escape 3 due to reported issues) - Product page
• Giant Cypress 2 or 3 - Cypress 2 page
• Cannondale Quick 5 or 6 - Quick 5 | Quick 6

My intended use:

• Mostly recreational riding and fitness
• Some commuting potential
• Mix of paved roads and light trails
• Budget: $600-800 for the bike + additional $100 for gear (helmet, etc.)

What I've learned from my research:

• Aluminum frames are better for lightweight performance
• Disc brakes are important for safety and better stopping power
• Please correct me if I'm wrong on any of these points!

Questions:

1. Which of these would you recommend for a complete beginner?
2. Any major differences I should be aware of between these models?
3. Is the Trek FX1 really better than FX2 for beginners, or is that just internet wisdom?
4. Are there any common issues with any of these bikes I should know about?
5. Do all these bikes have the aluminum frame and disc brake features I'm looking for?

I'm planning to test ride them, but would love to get your thoughts on the pros/cons of each before I head to the shops.

Thanks in advance for any advice!