I don't know about you, but if I want a steak I get a steak and not try to make one out of hamburger. The Urban is a great bike with the perfect frame geometry that makes it turn hard but nimble. The joy of it is it's simplicity you know good old coaster brake with no cables or levers to go wrong. You'd be better off, I think, with a 700c wheeled 21 speed set up for touring with a nice fat Cloud 9 seat for your backside and an adjustable stem to help keep your back straight. A bike like this is easily obtained used at a good price and upgrades would run you $60 to $80.