Going from flat bar to drop bar sizing
 

Let's say I've found bicycle fit nirvana with my Giant Escape and let's say the effective top tube (ETT) is 20 inches (I'm actually not sure what it is). When I'm looking at drop bar bikes, should I be looking at ETT sizes that are 20 or 23 inches? (23 inches = 20 ETT plus 3 inches handlebar reach to account for the hoods). I'm sure this is obvious to most people but my head is spinning with trying to figure out the right drop bar bike size for me after nailing it with my Escape and Anthem bikes, which seem like they were made for me.

Basically, my Salsa Vaya seemed like it fit in the parking lot when I test rode it, but it is not comfortable on long rides (after about 5 miles) and long rides is exactly why I have it! Specifically, the bike "feels" big, my shoulders hurt, especially the left one. Elbows hurt, too. And my hands naturally rest in front of the hoods rather than in them. My poor Vaya is sitting in the garage while my other bikes enjoyed nice weather this weekend. And my poor wallet is bleeding after I spent a small fortune on a bike I don't want to ride.

Perhaps you should get professional bike fitting.

You could try parking the Vaya next to the Giant and try to see where the differences are. Put the cranks side by side and you can see where the seat and bars are. That would give you a direction to shoot for. Measurements don't always tell the whole story when there are subtle differences in angles.

A properly fit drop bar bike will have a shorter top tube than a flat bar bike. This is compensated by generally longer stems and longer reach bar. The reach ends up being somewhat similar, though road bikes generally are set up longer and lower

Well, your Vaya dealer should be slapped upside the head for sending out of the shop with an ill-fitting road bike. Bad LBS! No biscuit!

Pompiere's suggestion is a good one for a start. It is hard to go by measurements, especially since the relationship between bike size and ETT for hybrids is not straightforward. For example, my Trek 7.3 FX is a 17.5" (it's a step-through), but it's ETT is 54.8 cm. I don't know what the magical relationship is between 44.5 cm (17.5 inches) and 54.8 cm -- it's magical! My Lexa is a 54 cm (with an ETT of 54.2... much more straightforward).

From your description of what's uncomfortable on your Vaya, I'm wondering if you'd be more comfortable on a women's road bike. For example, my sister also has a 54 cm Trek, but it's not a WSD (Women Specific Design -- Trek talk for women's bike). When I get on her bike, I feel too stretched out; when she gets on mine, she feels her arms are cramped too close to her torso... it's all where you carry your height (i.e., legs relative to torso).

If you're "stuck" with the men's (or unisex) geometry, there are still helpful adjustments that can be done (e.g., swapping stems, handlebars). This is what your Vaya shop SHOULD have done when you bought your bike. Yes, a road bike (even endurance geometry) will stretch you out more than a hybrid... but it shouldn't be uncomfortable. Take your Vaya back to the shop; they should be as unhappy as you are that your bike doesn't fit.

You would use a different stem to get the reach adjusted .. longer TT you get a shorter stem.
and shorter TT you get a Longer stem.


Bike Fit is better sorted out in Person , rather than online.

I had a lot a numbness in my hands until I got a proper bike it. Turned out I need to lower my bars, add some seat height as well as move it forward a bit. Ohh and position my cleats differently. All in all the bike for was the best thing I could have done.