I'm looking at getting my girlfriend her first "real" bike to do some light touring on. i was looking at the Specialized Vita https://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?

The geometry isn't all that different from the smallest LHT sizes. It seems to me that hybrid bikes in general are nothing more than road bikes with very relaxed geometry, high head tubes, and easy gearing. I suppose also that the flat bars and twist shifters seem more user friendly or less intimidating to the novice.

Why, though, not get something ready to ride out of the box rather than something you intend to modify/upgrade?

Its cheaper and she isn't a rider now so I want to get her something she can ease her way into.

I've had my Specialized Vita Sport Disc EQ now for almost a year, and I've put almost 2000 miles on her for everything from grocery shopping to touring. She's one of the best bikes I've ever owned and is just as comfortable riding to the grocery store as she is doing 50 miles in a day on touring rides. I highly reccomend the disc brakes, they are way better than rim brakes, especially when I have 40 lbs of groceries or camping gear. Such a comfortable bike already setup for front and rear racks, fenders and everything else you want to add from there for long trips.

Why can't she use the flat bars on the Vita? My wife and I use flat bars when we tour and we get along just fine.

My opinion is based on the bar conversion.
Get what is very comfortable for her this season. I assume she rides quit a bit now. Then when she shows interest in drop bars buy her a drop bar bike.
If she might be ready to try a drop bar bike this year you save a step. If she is hesitant, then make her happy.

Enjoy riding together above all. Remember to stop and smell the roses.

-Snuts-

Edit: I see she is relatively new, looks like a season on the flat bars. Trekking bars are an easy upgrade later, for touring.

It looks like a good compromise for a newbie just the way it is. And will be a great around town bicycle, and day trips. If she really likes touring then get something better for long distance touring at that time. maybe even convert the carbon version of the Vita.
Lots of folks have more than 1 bicycle. No reason for a super tourer right now.
Is that what Snuts said?

Exactly.

When the dedicated touring bike happens, she will have her own preference by then.


Just Ride (ha-ha)



-Snuts-

I'm not tourer but at 5' tall (short?) I know the struggle is real to find a proper sized bike lol. There are small touring bikes though List of XS Touring Bikes for Smaller Cyclists: 42cm, 44cm, 46cm - CyclingAbout

Hybrid usually have a longer ETT than roads bikes so the reach would be longer than on the equivalent size road bike.

Perhaps she could "upgrade" to one of those when she's more into it. As other, I'd also recommend riding the Vita as is, maybe add bar ends.

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.