I too had a sizing problem with my bike friday, and I had to send it back but they made it right at no added cost to me. I also did not find my friday slower than a similarly weighted and geared big wheeled bike. I would say give them a chance to make it right, but if they don't you do have the 30 day guarantee, which you have to give them credit for is rare in the custom bike world. WHen you say the gearing is the same, did you calculate for the difference in tire size, that is do you mean the gear ratios are the same, or the gears are the same, cuz you need to choose gears to make the ratios be the same when caluculating for the smaller wheel. Mine was stolen, and I do miss the cost savings when traveling.