So, the bike doesn't fit. Damn.

[WolfGirl]

Hey gang, it's been a couple of weeks but work got crazy. Thank you so much for the suggestions and replies; going to go over them eagerly!

I did send Trek a letter regarding the whole issue. Heard nothing back. Called them this week, talked to the manager. He did give me some crap about it taking me two years to figure this out, and then offered $200 off a new FX 7.5. I basically told him that I really didn't feel that $200 was enough to counter a $1000+ mistake, when I didn't actually MAKE that mistake. He said he'd go talk to some high-up mucky-mucks. ....and then came back with $300 off.

I very politely told him to forget it, and that I would not be patronizing their brand in future.

So, now I'm not sure WHAT to do. Get a new bike? Just a frame? Try to get this one to work? Like I said, I'll go over the posts and gather all the nuggets of wisdom. Feeling pretty discouraged about the whole thing, not to mention extremely apprehensive about buying ANYTHING after this experience.

[WolfGirl]

How does the bike feel? Is it still bothering you?

I've hardly ridden since I started this thread, because of work craziness. However, my summer clinic is over, and so my boy and I will be biking a bunch for the next few weeks. When I have ridden recently, my hands (lower palm and heel) bother me a lot and quickly. The saddle thing (not really sitting on it) is also ever-present. I'm going to really evaluate over the next week or so, and try to figure out the next step.

[Cataboo]

I've hardly ridden since I started this thread, because of work craziness. However, my summer clinic is over, and so my boy and I will be biking a bunch for the next few weeks. When I have ridden recently, my hands (lower palm and heel) bother me a lot and quickly. The saddle thing (not really sitting on it) is also ever-present. I'm going to really evaluate over the next week or so, and try to figure out the next step.

take a pic of how your bike is set up now and post it so we can see. Better yet, take a picture of what you look like on it. It sounds like you're putting too much weight on your hands, which doesn't make me think your bike is too small - but I guess if your seat is a lot higher than your handlebars, you could be pitching forward with your weight on the handlebars. How upright are you when sitting on the bike?

I'd go get ergon grips for your hands for now. I rip all the padding out of my pearl izumi gloves because the padded gloves actually hurt my hands more.

I think you probably should be able to make that bike work for you - but lots of people outgrow their trek fx's fairly quickly, flat bars are hard to go the distance on.

[Cataboo]

I did send Trek a letter regarding the whole issue. Heard nothing back. Called them this week, talked to the manager. He did give me some crap about it taking me two years to figure this out, and then offered $200 off a new FX 7.5. I basically told him that I really didn't feel that $200 was enough to counter a $1000+ mistake, when I didn't actually MAKE that mistake. He said he'd go talk to some high-up mucky-mucks. ....and then came back with $300 off.

Well. Figure out what you can sell yours for. If that + $300 could get you a new trek fx that fits you... maybe take them up on that. The reality is that they're being fairly generous offering you $300 towards a new bike - when they really don't have to. yes, a bike shop fitted you wrong (we think maybe, according to another bike shop) ... but how much of that is trek's fault vs the bike shop that fitted you? and then there is the 2 years issue...

how many other things in life can we buy, have for 2 years, and then go back to the manufacturer to tell them that it really wasn't what we wanted and see if they'll give you a discount on a new one?

Did you try asking trek if they'd just give you a discounted frame?

[uforgot]

Oops. Edited because I repeated an earlier post of mine. Anyway, I've ridden both the 15" and the 17" many miles on the Katy Trail and they were both equally comfortable. I don't think it's as critical for a hybrid to fit perfectly. I spent months tweaking my Surly Cross Check to get it comfortable with the drop bars, but the hybrids...no time at all. Have you tried different stems? You can certainly get the bars higher with a stem with a larger angle on it.

I also think that Trek was very generous with the $300. The bike you have retailed for $789, and if you could sell it for half of what you paid, (that's generally what I've gotten on them), you are out only about $95. Frankly, I'm impressed that Trek offered it since the bike is 2 years old, and the fit was the responsibility of the shop and it was also your responsibility to let them know sooner that it wasn't comfortable.

I think you should post pictures, as suggested, because we have a lot of women who have been trained as fitters and I believe they can help you. I really think you can make that 15" work.