I've been on this quest for a few months now to get my bike to be more comfortable. Put on new grips, finally settled on a saddle, extended the stem, got a slightly curved bar...and it's still not right. I had it professionally fit about a month ago-ish, where I had my latest saddle (Brooks B-68) put on and the stem extension done. At the time the guy doing the fitting said "Well, the bike sure isn't too big for you," and went on to say that if he were selling it to me today he'd have me go up at least a size.

Since the fitting I've noticed two things:

1. The saddle problems (a lot of lasting numbness in the ladybits) are gone, but I realize I'm not actually SITTING on the saddle much; I'm using my legs to hold myself off it somewhat. Is it because it's not padded and I can't sink into it like a barcalounger? Is it because it's still not broken in and I'm unconsciously protecting my butt? Is this actually ideal to have an "active" riding posture? I have no idea.

2. I'm really leaning forward and putting a lot of weight/pressure on my hands. A lot. Is it because my core is weak (I'm overweight and not in shape) and I'm not holding my body up? Is it because the seat is positioned wrong? When I try to sit back it feels awkward; like I can't just sit on the seat. I have no idea.

So, we (boy, partner, and I) did an 11-mile round trip this morning which was pretty slow, because the boy is only 6 and on a beginner bike. I took the time to fiddle with my positioning and stuff, and finally decided to stop off at one of the LBSes on the way home. A different fit guy there basically said "Lady, I can try to help you, but the bottom line is that that bike is too small for you."

So, NOW what.

1. I have no money. I'd have to wait until next summer at the earliest to get another bike.

2. Is it worth it to try to get another extender put on this one? I've already dumped time and money trying to get it set up, and while I can take my components with me to the new bike, I don't know if it's worth trying to get this one to work out.

3. What new bike would I even get?? I have a goal of doing my first century by Fall 2011. I mentioned this to my favorite repair shop and the guy told me I'd probably want a road bike. What I have is what he called a "flat-bar road bike". I've never ridden one of the curvy-bar kinds. Would I even want to? Also, can you take those on a crushed stone trail? I don't even like riding the one I have now on those trails; my thin tires slip all over and it's a lot of effort to stay upright. Would I need two bikes to do those? (So far this summer we've been staying on pavement, but we miss the trails and there are a lot more stone ones around here than paved.)

4. Should I be righteously annoyed at the shop who sold me this bike two summers ago for not fitting me to the bike right? I didn't know from fit/size/anything, and just assumed that they'd look at me and say "hm, lady, that ain't going to work for you. Let's go up a size." I can't tell you how much I would have appreciated this.

Anyway, so now I'm home and pretty discouraged. I have a bike I really love but which doesn't fit right, and it appears never will. I thought I'd have this ride for YEARS before I had to think about another bike; I got a good deal on it, tried to customize it some, and have been trying to care for it. Now I'm not sure what to do.

</vent>