Hip angles and max thrust

[SouthernBelle]

I'm pretty much the same size as you and I agree with Emily, 54 cm is probably too big.

I bought a 52 cm just yesterday and though the fit needs a little fine tuning I'm not having anywhere near the problems you are. At least on the maiden run yesterday.

[Triskeliongirl]

I also think from everything you say, that this bike is simply too big for you. I am 5'4" and while I can be fitted to a trek 50 cm guys bike or 51cm wsd bike, the top tubes on those bikes are still too long for me, so I ended up with a 44 cm terry bike to get the appropriately sized top tube I needed (like you I am long in the femur, short in the upper body, which also means I needed a bike with a shallow, i.e. 73 degree seat tube angle). If I were you, I would cut my losses by selling this bike. You will only injure yourself if you continue to ride it, and keep pouring money into trying to make it right but it will never be right. Then, I would learn everything I could about the older frame that fits. What seat tube angle does it has (can you download the specs), top tube length, head tube angle, and search the web to find a bike with specs in the same ballpark. When I couldn't find a bike that fit me, that is what I did, looked at what bikes worked for me in the past, and then looked for new ones that had similar geometries.

[Bikingmomof3]

That just sounds terrible. I am so sorry you are going through all this. I know we are all different sizes, and I fit a Trek 50cm perfectly. My DH who is a heck of a lot taller fits a 56cm. I could not believe it. I thought for certain he would be on a 60cm, since se has a long torso-yet he simply could not reach without discomfort on the 60cm. On a 56cm he is perfect.

My rambling has a point. I am afraid your bike, from all you have said is way too big. Would the bike store (and in my opinion they should) buy your bike back from you and sell you a bike that actually fits you? Seriously, bike riding should not be painful.

[esther231]

Trust your body and not the bike store.

I'd put money down that the bike is too big.

Hope you feel quickly.

[Petra]

I can relate to your problems, and tend to agree that the bike is too large for you. I am 5'7"" and ride a 51 cm frame, which fits perfectly. Another bike shop tried to sell me 56 cm frame.... my hands would never touch the handlebars. Also, I noted that you mention that you thrust your pelvis forward when running, you actually need to do the opposite thing in cycling and your core muscles might not like this at all and need some adapting and you therefore feel you are too far back. One thing you can do is align the front of your kneecap with the center of you pedal axle (drop a weight on a string from the kneecap to the floor and see where it hits your pedals, feet in 3-9 o'clock position). That gives you a good idea about butt-leg orientation on the bike. Certainly does nothing for a too long top tube.... good luck with finding the perfect bike.