So, the bike doesn't fit. Damn.

[tulip]

The guy today said it was a 15. I'm 5'3" ...said he'd recommend a 17 at least.

I'm 5'6" and I ride a 17" Jamis Coda Comp (straight bar road bike). My road bike is between a 49cm and 50cm.

I would say that at 5'3", a 15" bike would be about right. I would not agree that you would need a 17" bike or bigger. Certainly not bigger! Your fit might not be just right, but don't throw that bike out just yet.

Core strength is very important. Get working on that right away.

[Catrin]

I am 5'3 in my stocking feet and have the smallest Trek 7.6 FX. It is a WSD bike and if I remember correctly it is 15.5. I have long legs for my height, but for my torso the reach is slightly too long for me. It isn't TOO bad, as I learned how to ride on my Trek, but since the Wanderer (LHT) fits me so much better I am currently not riding the Trek until I decide what to do with it. It certainly isn't too small for me....

+1 on core strength. I am still working on this but am finally starting to understand why Tuilp and others have mentioned this to me over the months since I first came to TE.

[uforgot]

I'm 5'5" and I've had the 15 and the 17" fx. I think the 17" fits the best, but I really think I'm between sizes. I went with the 100mm stem on the 15" and 90mm on the 17". The fx is a hybrid, so the fit is more forgiving than a road bike. Maybe the fx isn't for you? Did you try a 17", because I think it sounds way to big.

[bcipam]

When I bought my Lemond in 2002, the shop had recommend a 53 but I went for the 51 as in the shop, it felt more comfortable. It took a year but I realized the 53 was a better fit. That said I have been riding the bike comfortably since then. It was a matter of a good fitting and then some adjustment of handlebar, seat position, pedals etc. and the bike has done me well. Thankfully I have now saved enough money to have a custom frame built but I still ride the Lemond.

I can't imagine the bike is so small it can't be adjusted. It doesn't take that much money - find a good fitter in your area and see what he can do. $150 for a fitting is much less than money for a new frame. And having a good fitting and the measurements will keep you from repeating your mistake.

Good luck with the problem... Loraura gave you excellent advice. Alot of what you are experiencing I believe just comes from lack of fitness. And I agree with a flat bar - unless you are biking mountain a flat bar is not good. I assume you are sitting very upright on your bike which is why you want a flat bar and a wide saddle. That positioning causes alot of the problem you are complaining of. There is a reason most roadies want to be bent forward at the waist. Using your core to support your weight will definitely take pressures off your hands and wrist. You are riding with your arms bent - correct? And wider saddles are not always better.

And yes Hybrids are generally cruiser bikes - for short easy distance but that is not to say you can't do a century on them. I've seen people do centuries on beach cruisers (hate them). I think as you train for your century alot of problems will go away.

[OakLeaf]

Trouble is that if the seat height is too high above the handlebars for her comfort, she's going to need a new fork to do much about that.

[bcipam]

Trouble is that if the seat height is too high above the handlebars for her comfort, she's going to need a new fork to do much about that.

It might be an issue of a longer stem, putting the saddle back and lowering the risers. Most likely flexibility is also an issue - again a fitness issue that can be resolved.