revchuck 

This is probably the issue. I work in an LBS and we typically stock 52-56cm bikes and have to special order larger or smaller. We won't sell something that doesn't fit, though, and have lost sales because of that.

OP - call around to bike shops in your area and ask if they have any 61cm road bikes in stock, preferably "endurance geometry." Given your height, that's what I'd put you on. If you find one, go there and try one out. IMO, the Giant Defy 5 is the best deal out there for an entry level road bike. We sell a bunch of them.

AverageJoe2.0

I'll admit that I didn't read all the replies in this thread, so please forgive any redundancy.

1. There are numerous geometries available in road bikes. If you want something more relaxed look at endurance, touring, or CX bikes.
2. Talk to a bike fitter, not a salesman. If you think the bike is too small, ask for a test ride on a larger size. Find what works for you, not what some chart says you should be riding.
3. Consider a chrome-moly frame with mid-grade components. The Surly Pacer, Long Haul Trucker and CrossCheck come to mind but there are lots of others.
4. Actually, unless you have an unusual back condition of some kind, a proper road bike position is easier on the back than a more upright posture. You shouldn't be "bending over" as much as rotating forward from the hips. This could be a bike fit issue, a flexibility issue, a knowledge issue, or an obesity around the midriff issue. I'm a Clyde and the latter was my problem until I raised my stem 5mm and flipped it to the + angle position. I also found that I had the seat too low and raising it to the proper position kept my legs and belly from getting in each other's way. Luckily the belly is less of a problem now.

Bernard Barwick

Where in Lubbock did you find the store for bikes? I want to buy bikes for my son's. We are shifting to Naples, Florida. I am thinking of hiring vehicle shipping company for hauling those bikes to our new location.

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gilpi

Having owned a few road bikes, they all felt a bit different and size has something to do with it as well. Some road bikes have a shorter wheel base making it more "twitchy" while others have a longer wheel base and a less aggressive angle making it more comfortable for longer rides.
Since you seem to be used to the MTB/Hybrid feel, how about a performance hybrid? Something a bit more aggressive with thinner road wheels/tires but a little more comfy than a full fledged roady?

SpikedLemon

I'm a shade shorter than you at 6'3 and ride a 58cm Synapse.

Coming off a cheap big-box mountain bike to the road bike was such a relief. The lighter weight, the quicker handling and the speed.

I had an irrational desire for a road bike and was all I wanted. My LBS was great and did some sizing with their mock-bike to try out different geometries and different frame sizes. I was a little split between a 58 and 60cm frames but, in the end, their fitter recommended the 58 (noting that I could change the stem to lengthen the reach if I wanted). My LBS setup the bike with the bars as high as it would come for comfort and for me to adapt to the road-bike geometry. Now that I've had it for a while and gotten accustomed to the position: I've dropped the bars quite a bit.

I don't regret getting the road bike though I sometimes wish I got a CX and put on road tires for the larger rubber when I ride on the local trails.

schnee

I'm your height, 50+ pounds more than you, and I ride road.

Look into different kinds of bikes than a pure racer - like a 'sport tourer', with a longer wheelbase, taller head tube, and overall more comfortable fit. Get one with fatter tires too, which adds a LOT to comfort.

I'd even say look into Salsa, they have a line of 'gravel racers' that feature fatter tires, geometry and bike position that's more focused towards long hours on the bike, stuff like that.

There's plenty of choice. You'll do fine.