Brought home my first ever road bike yesterday, after happily riding ol' Betsy (35# univega hybrid) for 17 years on several ragbrais, etc! Lacking confidence about sizing a road bike, I trusted 2 youngsters to size me.....stood by the bike and visual assessment was it. It's a specialized vita, 2005 closed-out model, 51", with aeros (thinking a sprint tri might be fun).

Did a little 22 mile midnight ride last night. Egads. It's like going from a 60# western saddle that locks you in, to a 8# english. (yes, I'm an equestrienne).
My heavy old bike, and my endurance riding (horses) obsession has given me quads and upper strength for an ol lady, so I managed.

My worry.....Is it normal to feel rather "exposed" on a road bike when transitioning from a flat-bar mountain-type frame? Felt like I was too forward, and the aeros felt about 6" too short. Gearing felt overly sensitive (wouldn't take shifting with a load, at all.) My first thought is that it's just too small.....I'm 5'5", longish arms, 31" inseam. And of course, I became suspicious that they were just eager to move a closed-out model that has some inherent problems.

Help me understand if I'm jumping to a conclusion here, or if I likely may really have a bike that's too small, and your general impression of this brand of bike.