My road bike does not fit. Help.

[Bad JuJu]

although my husband is really never going to stop calling them "chicken levers," not even if I kick him really hard).

But it's worth a try, isn't it?
But seriously, good luck finding your fit. I bought and sold two bikes that were too big for me because LBS guys told me they were my size. After that, I educated myself and did the homework I should've done in the first place so I'd know for myself whether a bike fit me or not.

For what it's worth, I've gone the short stem extension route too, and it didn't noticeably affect my steering for the worse. And I too am finding that I just can't get the women's Brooks shoved back far enough for me. Might try a seatpost with a longer setback though. Just my 2 cents.

[pooks]

This is the second saddle I've tried and neither would go back far enough.

That seat post with a longer setback? Maybe I should learn more about that option.

[Bad JuJu]

I think this is the seatpost that Triskeliongirl mentioned:
Alpha Q Carbon seatpost

[xeney]

JuJu, from what I've read the seatpost with the most setback of any on the market is 35mm. We're already there, so we've maxed out that option. (And I can't reach the handlebars.)

I think this bike is going on the block. Damn.

ETA: yeah, I did check that one out ... it only has 25mm of offset, so it's actually less than what I have now.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

A bike being the "right size" has little to do with whether it FITS you well or not.
Any LBS person who sends you off with a new bike just because it's "your size" isn't doing their job. You could take 5 bikes that are all your "correct size" they will all fit you differently. You will have a different body position on each one. ONe might be a perfect fit and another might leave you in pain after a couple hours of riding. Yet you are told they are all "the right size". The right size often is just a beginning point in the search for a good fitting bike- it only refers to ONE measurement on a frame- the seat tube. It doesn't have much to do with angles or arm reach or handlebar width/height, and a dozen other factors. Happily, some of these factors can be changed on a bike, but others you can't do much about.
This is an interesting article on frame sizing (with some definite opinions):
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html
It also has some good links on the bottom to other articles by other people.

[xeney]

Well, I didn't mean she said, "Yes, you're a 53," and pulled one off the shelf and sent me on my way. She had me sit on different bikes, she moved the seat around, she had me test ride.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Xeney, I didn't mean that was necessarily what happened in your case, but unfortunately I suspect it happens too often. I'm glad your person at least tried to get the fit right for you.

[xeney]

Well, I think we are giving up. The Ritchie stem is about equivalent to 8cm, with some rise. It is still way too far. More than 3cm too far. The bike does not fit me and we can't make it fit.

I'm going to take it to a shop that will sell it on consignment. I'm not shopping for a new bike right now, because I really can't afford anything nice, and I am not excited about paying nearly $2K for an aluminum bike, as I would have to do with a Terry. I am just going to cut my losses and try to learn to love my mountain bike.

Thank you, everybody, for your help.