Irulan,

Thanks, I think you've hit the nail on the head! When I bought this bike I probably didn't ride more than 500 mi a year, mtn and road combined. Now I'm riding 2,000 + miles per year. I'm a much stronger, more aggressive rider and I'm not happy on the bike unless I'm in an "aggressive position". The frame doesn't get me there naturally and so I had to do it myself.

Guess if I decide to keep this bike I'd better do a lot of core conditioning!