Road bike because I went the hybrid route and sold it less than 6 months later for a carbon road bike.

I wanted a hybrid so that I could do light mountain or road. Unfortunately, a hybrid can do both light mountain or road but cannot do either well.

So if you know for sure that you want to road bike only and not mountain bike, go for the road bike. The Specialized Vita is more for someone who just wants to do light exercising. I had my LBS set my road handlebars very high up since I was not used to the curved road bike handle bars and lowered them as I progressed in my biking. My handlebars currently are level with my saddle. I am also glad to be able to change hand and body positions on my road bike compared to just having hybrid type handlebars. In fact, I wish that my mountain bike came with road bike handle bars...kinda like a cyclocross bike.

As to the tire widths, a lot of TE members buy wider road tires for their road bikes for better comfort. A lot of them ride 25cc to 28cc wheels.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)