Hello. Although this is my first post, I have been reading and learning for awhile. What a valuable source of information this forum is!

I am considering purchasing a bike that was returned by another customer at my bike shop. It's beautiful, hardly been ridden, and has good components.

I can't determine if the bike frame is too small. Bike shop said they can make it work but are not advising one way or the other. Have already lengthened stem and have an offset seat post. I need to be back further because I feel like I'm scrunched up. They have suggested a seatpost with more offset might work.

I guess my question basically is: how do you know if a frame is too small and how bad it is to extend both the seatpost and stem to inordinate lengths to make it fit?

The top tube is 1'1/2 inches shorter than my current bike which fits well and I've never had any physical problems riding this bike.

Thanks to whomever might offer advice.