Holy cow! A new bike already?

[Triskeliongirl]

The main problem I have is that I shove myself so far back on my saddle that I'm hanging off to get my sit bones comfortable and to give my legs enough room....

This fact by itself doesn't mean the bike is too small, but perhaps that the seat tube angle is too steep. If the STA is good, then with the right seat post and saddle and stem you should be able get set up right, within a certain range. Maybe you just need a more laid back seatpost. I'm not saying don't look at a real road bike, but maybe you can still make this rideable as a utility bike with something as easy as a seatpost swap. Try the kalloy uno 374 from wallingford, quite laid back at a good price:

http://www.wallbike.com/seatposts/uno374.html

Note, the kalloy uno posts most bike shops stock or can order are not as laid back as the 374. And its only $23.

[pooks]

I might try that. When I asked about those kinds of posts he didn't seem to think it would make enough difference to help me, but I'm not sure why they wouldn't.

[Triskeliongirl]

I might try that. When I asked about those kinds of posts he didn't seem to think it would make enough difference to help me, but I'm not sure why they wouldn't.

Obviously I can't look at you on your bike, but the problem you are reporting suggests that you are pushing yourself back to establish the correct KOP, but the best way to do that is with a seatpost with more set-back. If you are doing it only to lengthen your reach to not feel bunched up, then I think a longer and/or lower stem would help. But its hard to fit someone over the internet without looking at them. Maybe you should try a different fitter. What he says just doesn't make sense, if you are reporting it correctly. I just worry that this person was soley out to sell you a new bike.

[Kano]

Pooks, you mentioned the different shifters -- I LOVE my new shifters! The Comfort-Beast has handlebar twisty shifters, and they weren't awful, but the new little lever gizmos on my new bike, oh boy, they're nice! push the little lever for a smaller cog, the big lever for a bigger cog -- couldn't be more intuitive, and talk about smooth! (and then just squeeze 'em toward the bars for stop...)

Karen in Boise