FS: 2009 Specialized Ruby Expert

[Bluetree]

I think the bike shop should take it back! It's a shame they can get away with selling you a bike that clearly doesn't fit. And then you've had to spend $$ on multiple fittings. That's just wrong, wrong, wrong.

+1.

There is no freaking way you would fit a 51cm bike and the salesman who sold it to you is unethical and unprofessional. Contact the store manager and see if he would (at the very least) allow a trade-in/exchange for a bike your size.

If that doesn't work, go up the food chain and contact Specialized. Let them know that one of their dealers engages in this kind of behavior.

A 51cm bike is not even close to your range.

[Kerry1976]

a 51? Wow, that seems huge to me, too.

I'm 5'0" and I currently ride a 44 and we had to shorten the stem.

Like others, I am really sorry to hear you had this experience. That was simply irresponsible by the bike shop. I hope you still want to ride - this is just the type of stuff that pushes people away from cycling.

[Kerry1976]

+1.

There is no freaking way you would fit a 51cm bike and the salesman who sold it to you is unethical and unprofessional. Contact the store manager and see if he would (at the very least) allow a trade-in/exchange for a bike your size.

If that doesn't work, go up the food chain and contact Specialized. Let them know that one of their dealers engages in this kind of behavior.

A 51cm bike is not even close to your range.

Couldn't agree more!

[nscrbug]

I had a similar experience when I purchased my first road bike, a Trek 2100 WSD. The dealer where I bought it from, put me on a 54cm (I'm 5'6"). I unfortunately, didn't any better and did not realize the bike was too large for me until I had ridden it for an entire season...all the while wondering why it never felt quite "right". I sympathize with your situation and hope that you either find a new home for it, or can talk your dealer into letting you return it for a smaller size.

[limewave]

I had a similar experience when I purchased my first road bike, a Trek 2100 WSD. The dealer where I bought it from, put me on a 54cm (I'm 5'6"). I unfortunately, didn't any better and did not realize the bike was too large for me until I had ridden it for an entire season...all the while wondering why it never felt quite "right". I sympathize with your situation and hope that you either find a new home for it, or can talk your dealer into letting you return it for a smaller size.

I'm 5'6" and wishing I was buying a new 54cm road bike. I tried smaller frame bikes, but I felt like I was up to high in the front or I wanted to keep pushing my rear off the back of the saddle. 56cm was too big. 54 was just right.

Didn't mean to hi-jack the thread. This sounds like a great bike! I'm sure you'll be able to find a buyer for it.

[Bluetree]

It's one thing if a bike is "a little" on the big side. Depending on leg and torso length, adjustments can be made to frames that lie on the farther ends of the scale.

Selling a bike to a newbie that is clearly out of the ballpark is quite another. Any experienced bike seller/fitter/rider would know that it was too big. Trust me, your salesperson knew this. If you bought an '09 bike in late 2010, he was simply trying to get it off his floor, at your expense.

(BTW, you mentioned aerobars. If you are using the bike for tris, your frame could even be a tad smaller than a road set up)

[channlluv]

Man, this salesman really is unethical if that's what he was doing. You absolutely need to contact the store owner and inform him or her what happened, and I'd put it in writing and copy customer service at Specialized, whatever VP is in charge of keeping customers happy. That's the person you want to write a letter to. That will get you some action on this.

Good luck getting a better fitting bike.

Roxy - 5'3.5" and riding a 51cm 2004 Specialized Ruby Comp, wondering now if my numb hands may be because my bike is too big for me