Triskeliongirl, I've done a few modifications, I've changed the stem (went from 90mm to 80mm) I've got a Selle Italia gel lady saddle and it's OK for shorter rides but anything over 50 miles and it gets painful - I've been reading the saddle threads so have some ideas for a saddle, only problem is we don't have any 'try before you buy' options here and I'm loathe to start a saddle collection. It's helped me to adjust the saddle position, ie. moved forward and adjusted the saddle height. I've rotated the handlebars slightly because I was getting numbness in the fingers, but this is still happening though I'm more comfortable with the angle of the bars. I'm wondering whether I need to get narrower handlebars? The distance between my shifters and the handlebars is possibly too great. How can you tell if it's the frame itself that's the problem? And what would be the reasons to think the crank length is wrong?

I figure that it would be really helpful to actually ride a few different bikes to see if I really do have any problems or not... this isn't an option as bike shops just don't stock small bikes here as there are not many men who ride my size and even fewer women who are spending dollars to make it worth their while keeping them in stock. Even asking them to get a bike in to try, they ask for a deposit as they think 'if I get it in and she doesn't buy it then what'll I do with it?'.

I've met an expert from Perth who had a quick look at me on the bike and suggested I swap the stem and that was it. I guess I could ask him to do a proper measure and fit with recommendations.

And hi Trekhawk, I live in Busselton, in the south west. Fresh air blowing off the Southern & Indian Oceans, sunshine most of the year. The cycling is great here, but there are no hills - it's a 20km (12 miles) ride to the nearest one. The wind can be a good training partner though.

Mags...