General Cycling Discussion - Ok, what problems could I have with a bike to small?

My Bianchi Talladaga road bike is a 53cm and Im 5'10. I wonder what problems I could face with a bike that might be to small. I had the bike fitted - seat back and longer stem, so there is no cramped feeling with my neck or arms or back. I wonder about my knees/legs. I seem to have some muscle pain in one knee and leg - same leg. Could it be that I do have a good fit, even though the frame is smaller?

Nikos,
I think your bike fit just right for you, just compare, maybe I am placing my foot in my mouth, but here goes. I am 5'9", my bike is 52 center to center, so with this measurement and your'e standing 5'10", and have 53 c to c, frame bike, I think you have a perfect fit, right there:confused:

I'm 5'10.5" and I ride a 56 - I tried a 53 and it sucked. But thats just me. My brother is 6' and rides a 55 - it all has to do with leg, torso, and arm length. - Even if the seat is all the way back and it feels good, ride it - if not sell it and get a bigger bike.

Nikos,
Try 2 things before you throw the baby out with the bathwater.

1. Your seat is all the way back on the rails. Get a seatpost with more setback and give yourself some more room for adjustment.
2. Get a 130 or 135mm stem on there (assuming you have a 120 right now)

I would try to keep what you have as it really is a nice setup. Yes, you can have good fit on a smaller frame. Just ask Jaja!

Thanks for the input guys, I really dont have a problem with the ride, I actually enjoy riding in the drops, I think I would have a problem riding a long distance in the drops otherwise. I will look into the different seat post, I do have a longer stem, I think in that respect I fit good with the arm extension.

Sizing is a strange science. I'm 5'8", but have a long torso. My road ride is a 50 cm, with a 53 cm TT and a 12 cm stem. My cyclocross bike [counter-intuitively] is a 52 cm, with a 53 cm TT and a 11 cm stem. They both fit beautifully, though maybe not conventionally. My inseam is 77.3 cm, so either 50 or 52 could be technically correct, depending ton the geometry and the sizing formula.

The bottom line is -- have yourself sized and try a bunch of different bikes. There are no shortcuts. The closest you can come to a shortcut is the sizing calculator at Wrench Science (http://www.wrenchscience.com/), which can give you a rough idea of what frame size options to look for.

It depends on the person, I'm 174 cm tall. I have a inseam of about 81 cm, that should get me a bike size of 54? Some people just have a long inseam, some long torsos. Whatever it is, if it feels comfortable, it isn't a problem even if it is too small.