Need help picking a hybrid

[TigerMom]

I have a question ladies.
I obviously loved Vita.
However. When I was riding, my hands hurt. I felt like I needed to have my hands higher. and felt like I was pushing myself off the handles constantly. this is not normal, right?
I will go and ride again today. But I do wonder if I should have a small bike instead of xs. So the saddle is a bit lower than the handles.
Honestly, I did not have this problem with the other bikes, as far as I remember. I will ride them all again today to confirm what I am thinking.
I felt like the gentleman at the Giant LBS was more helpful.

I love the color on the Vita Elite myself. You obviously love the color too. Is saving $200 over the course of one year worth not getting the bike that you are drooling over? Yeah, I'm also an enabler.

Try riding the Small. But also know that the bike shop can raise up the handlebars of the XS bike with risers. Also, they can provide different stem lengths to make the handlebars closer or farther away from your body.

The more you ride, the more comfortable you will be in a plank position (I kept lowering my handlebars and then had to flip the stem as I progressed in my biking speed). My triceps get a good workout from biking!

[Lady Hamilton]

I love the color on the Vita Elite myself. You obviously love the color too. Is saving $200 over the course of one year worth not getting the bike that you are drooling over? Yeah, I'm also an enabler.

Try riding the Small. But also know that the bike shop can raise up the handlebars of the XS bike with risers. Also, they can provide different stem lengths to make the handlebars closer or farther away from your body.

The more you ride, the more comfortable you will be in a plank position (I kept lowering my handlebars and then had to flip the stem as I progressed in my biking speed). My triceps get a good workout from biking!

No, over the span of 10 -15 years $200 is very little to pay to get exactly what you want.

And yes, the gentleman also told me that I'm just not broken into the plank, and as my fitness level grows, I will be more comfortable. He basically said that vita is something I can grow into. With Kona - I am comfortable there already, and there are spacers that can be removed later, if I want a more agressive position. but, I am not a pro, and even I felt the difference about how the two bikes handle the road. So, I told him - if I get anything at their shop, it will be Vita.