Mimi- another warning, I am not sure you totally understand frame sizing/geometry. A 44 cm or 49cm frame only indicates the length of the seat tube, and even that can vary since some manufacturers report the measurement as center of the bottom bracket to top of the seat tube and some as center to center. The reason you have a problem on your bianchi veloce is that both the top tube are too long for you, and the seat tube angle is very steep, which combine to make the reach too long. So, when you buy your next bike, you need to look at the total frame geometry, seat tube length, top tube length, and seat tube angle to assess fit. I am sure what you preferred on the 44cm bike you test rode was the shorter top tube, but that is why I always buy bikes with the top tube length and seat tube angles I need, even though their sizes can vary from 44-51cm. -e