Bike Forums - View Single Post - Specialized Vita for touring?

02-17-17 | 10:22 AM

#10

cyccommute

Mad bike riding scientist

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 29,210

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From: Denver, CO

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Quote:

Originally Posted by patgoral

I'm looking at getting my girlfriend her first "real" bike to do some light touring on. i was looking at the Specialized Vita http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=38460 It has rack mounts on the front and rear stays and will fit her because she is extremely tiny. Would the geometry on this bike allow you to put drop bars and a shorter stem on and still be comfortable?

Probably but...

The Vita frame is a good frame but you'll have to spend a lot to convert it. You'll need new shifters and brake levers as well as brakes or adapters (those haven't worked well in my experience). The gearing is a bit high for a touring bike and, especially, for a smaller woman. You'll probably want to replace the crank, especially if the stock crank is a long 170 or 175mm one. Basically, you'll be paying $500 for the frame.

I would suggest, as others have, leaving the bike mostly stock (the crank wouldn't be a bad upgrade even then) and going for flat bars or even a trekking bar. If she likes that, you can monkey around with upgrades later.

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