Think I'm going to have to sell my Cannondale CAAD8 if anyone's interested, sounds stupid but I bought it last Summer, and have barely been out on it. First road bike and didn't really know what I was supposed to be looking for. I went to Evans cycles and sat on a 54 frame and the guy instantly said I was too big for it and that my back was too arched or slumped over on it or something. I think I've got quite small legs and a longer torso (5"11 with 29" inseam)

They didn't have the 56 in but a Bike shop in Rutland about an hours drive away, and the guy there said he could understand why the other bike shop guy had said a 54 was too small after sitting on one there. Tried the 56 and he said that it fit right.

I gave it a test ride, not lengthy enough of one probably and it felt alright, I felt a bit stretched but I thought it was normal.

Drove a few minutes away to one of their other bike shops in the area and tried I think a Giant Defy, felt way more comfortable on it but after testing the CAAD I preferred the more sporty geometry and position.

So I bought the CAAD8 56.

I've been out literally just a few times on it, I just feel that it's too big for me and I'm stretching over it. My 'boy's rest on the top tube with zero clearance when stood over the top tube. I read in the manual after I bought it that Cannondale state if there's no clearance the bike should not be rode on, but then on the Internet a lot of people seem to say it's not an issue and they too have the same thing with their bikes.

The problem more so is that I just feel too stretched out arms wise, my arms are pretty much locked straight when on the hoods, and as stupid as it sounds I feel a bit intimidated by getting on the bike and riding it.

I did actually go back to the store where I'd bought it after and told the lady working there at the time that I'd bought the bike a couple of weeks earlier and felt it didn't fit me right. She took me into the bike fitting room and put the video display on and measured/monitored my cycling, making a few adjustments (flipping the handle bars, tilting them back etc.) and I thought it fit better... took it home and since then have hardly ridden it.

But I really want to start cycling again as I feel like I'd really enjoy it and I want to get fit and more active.

Going back to the shop on Wednesday and instead of going for a racier geometry like the CAAD frame I have I'll hopefully be able to try a few bikes and go with whatever feels comfortable. Now I know there's a difference between endurance and racier frames as well, and I'd probably be better off with a 'sportive/endurance' bike anyway.

So if anyone's interested I might be selling a virtually brand new Cannondale CAAD8 Claris 2016 model soon...

Has anyone else had a similar experience when buying a bike? I know it's stupid as it's out of return period by a long way now so I'll have to sell the bike instead of being able to return/exchange but I need to feel safe and comfortable.

It's my size but I don't need another bike ... but someone will.

You will take a hit financially but I think you are doing the right thing. Right now the bike is worthless .... but it will be worth something to someone who will ride it, and when you have the right bike you will be much, much happier.

Sometimes having massive, manly, low hanging balls is a problem....

...sometimes not.

Sounds like you're really short in the leg, m8. Or, you have massive, manly, low hanging balls.

Sounds like you haven't ridden it enough to know one way or the other.

The riding with arms locked solid is poor riding stance, nothing to do with the bike. It's also common in people who haven't come to terms with the riding position yet so my advice is to make an effort to keep a small bend in the arms next time you ride. It may also be that the bars are too low for you at this stage, something that also encourages riding with locked arms.

Standover height is a non-issue. Fear of it is again, common in the inexperienced and nothing to be embarrassed about, but it's not a problem.

I suggest you first go back to the shop you bought the bike from. Explain your problems, not by saying you want to sell the bike, but by telling them how you feel on the bike and what you think the problem is. You may find the cure is as simple as flipping the stem to raise the bars (a five minute job). Also, it's not hard or expensive to install a shorter neck.

As I read your post, it seems you went to two shops and both recommended that size. This suggests you didn't get a poor salesman so it's probable there's a relatively simple answer to your problems. If you're a 'funny' size and shape, it's not unknown to have to fiddle with your bike to get it working for you because bikes are designed for what the company considers a 'normal' person. Until you have the experience, you need to rely on others but they can only rely on what you tell them.

Take it back to the shop. Have a calm chat. Try their solutions. If the answer IS to sell the bike, they may be able to help you but it seems like you really wanted that bike, so give it a decent chance by making the changes needed to make it fit.

[MENTION=71040]europa[/MENTION] knows his stuff.

2016 CAAD8 is a race-geometry frame--short head tube--which is meant to be ridden with a lot of seat-bar drop. And a lot of people in shops are used to setting up bikes for pseudo-racing, with minimal spacers and a flat stem and a long, low riding position.

A lot of real people are not comfortable riding lying down with their arms out like superman.

You might need some spacers and an up-angled stem to get comfortable. You might even want to get an adjustable stem, so you can change the angle as you ride more.

Keep in mind: riding a road bike is not a particularly natural activity. Most people want to sit on the seat with most of their weight, and then end up putting too much weight on their arms so their elbows or palms hurt.

After you ride a while, you will learn to carry more weight on your legs, and will develop a stronger stomach and lower back so you can lean forward more comfortably. Then you might well find yourself wanting to lower the bars to get the right balance and to get under the wind.

If you put a lot of your weight on the saddle and the rest on your arms, you will need to lock your arms to hold the weight. if you are not flexible you will have to reach even further to reach the bars ....

The frame could fit you perfectly but the spacers, stems, and bars could be set up all wrong and you would be uncomfortable.