I really hope I don't get flamed for this, and I'm not a troll. Just trying to get some advice.

About 9 months ago I got a cheap & cheerful commuter/urban type bike (flat bars, wider tires, steel mtn bike-ish frame) at REI and have been riding the hell out of it-- to work, to the gym, to the grocery store, beach, etc. I've also been heading out for longer Saturday rides alone and with friends, and I found myself wanting a road bike for comfort, a variety of hand positions, more speed, etc. I have an event ride coming up in a few months and am really enjoying the health, fun, and social aspects of cycling, and I want to get more serious-- group rides, more event rides, etc.

I visited quite a few (six!) shops to talk to folks, get a feel for what they'd recommend, talked to some really experienced riders I am acquainted with, etc. Everyone had pretty much the same opinion, even when I told them I wasn't going to buy a bike from them-- I'd be much more comfortable on a carbon frame, look at the used market, and get a proper fit. I had a few shops do a very rough sizing on me, and across the board a frame around 58cm seemed right. I took a couple of VERY short test rides, mostly because I was just checking out shops. I was surprised by how expensive even entry-level bikes were in the shops, and was hoping to spend no more than around $12-1400 for my foray into more serious road riding. I considered buying a steel frame and riding the hell out of that for a while, but nothing popped up. Once it became clear that I was going to buy used to get more for my money, I started browsing Craigslist.

A guy on CL had a 58cm 2007 Guerciotti Cartesio (carbon frame, Dura-Ace 7800 components, Easton Circuit wheels) in beautiful shape, and he let it go for $1200, which I thought was a solid deal considering what the frame sold for new a few years ago. I picked it up a few days ago, had a shop get me in the ballpark fit-wise (checked knee angle, KOPS, etc), and have taken it on some short rides. Needless to say, it's VERY different than my commuter, and I'm really wondering if I bought the wrong bike. I'm 6'2", 189lbs, long torso, and I have a preexisting back injury (torn disc at L5/S1) that is pretty much rehabbed to the point where I can lift weights without trouble.

The weather has sucked here in SoCal, so I haven't been able to ride much at all. What I'm bugging out about is whether this is WAY too much bike for me-- I feel like I'm dropped pretty far forward/laid out, even though I know it's not as extreme as it feels. I'm worried that I'm going to irritate my back and wonder if I should have gotten something bigger with a more upright position. Basically what I'm wondering is this-- should I just ride it for a while and see if I adjust, or should I try and sell it for something more comfort-oriented? I also feel after riding it more that it might be kinda small. The fit is in the right range, but because of the height of the seatpost and the drop to the bars, it just doesn't feel totally comfortable. The stem is a 6-degree flipped up, and I wonder about getting one with a higher rise until I adjust? Or do I just need to deal? I know pros ride Paris-Roubaix on more "comfort" road frames, and I know people who don't race ride some pretty aggressive frames. I'm just not sure what's right for me.

That said, I have basically no experience with this kind of bike, and so I don't know whether I just need to sack up and adjust or if I made a mistake. If the answer is to man up and deal, I'll do it-- someone just tell me. At the same time, if I screwed up, I know someone who is interested in buying the bike, so I could get out of it without any penalty to me. I also know a guy who runs another shop about an hour from here who said he could give me a bro-deal (not sure what yet), and they carry Scott and Cannondale. So I could get something through him that might be more suitable for me and have it fit locally). Basically the ball is in my court, and I'd really appreciate some advice. Thanks, and I hope folks treat this thread well. Just looking for help and willing to hear other opinions.

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Give it a few more rides, just try not to hurt yourself.

take a pic of you on the bike and show us.

While perhaps a bit small, the frame is probably close enough to be adjusted for you. Unfortunately it's really hard to say for sure, especially with a medical condition involved. There's always going to be some discomfort in riding a road bike long distances. It also takes time for your body to adapt to the position and build up the core strength to hold a forward position. An upright riding position is not the universal answer for back pain that some people make it out to be. Some riders find that putting so much weight to the rear transmits vibrations right up the spine while a forward position relieves it. Exercises to strengthen your abdominal muscles would certainly help. Since you do have a medical condition a session with a good fitter would be a help.

i can't believe people like this are left unmoderated. is there such a lack of contributors here that moderators really allow this kind of filth to pass through? unbelievable

Could be both. The two aren't mutually exclusive...
To be honest, I only skimmed your post, but I've been in a similar situation and some of what I've learned may be helpful. Just some random thoughts...
--I'm about an inch taller than you, and a 58 would be WAY too small for me. I ride a 64 comfortably, and one of my bikes is a 65cm. Too late to change, if you need to, but be sure the saddle and bars are where they need to be. You're never going to be comfortable if they aren't..
--Where are the bars in relation to the seat? With back problems, you don't want the bars down low. Mine re level with the saddle, and I'm not lowering them.
--What size tires are you running? IMO, you (and I) are way too heavy for 23mm rubber. Grant Petersen at Rivendell has made a career of telling people over about 150 pounds to use fatter tires at lower pressure. that will tame the handling a little without slowing you down. I use 35 or 37mm tires at 75-85psi. Might not work for racing, but it's sure nice for riding around.
I suspect you'll get used to the handling. I swap among several bikes, from really laid back tourers to a fairly aggressive racer, and it takes just a few seconds to adapt (but I have thousands of miles on each bike, so that' could be a factor). if you decide to sell, though, try a frame in the 62-63cm range and see how it feels.

"Everyone had pretty much the same opinion, even when I told them I wasn't going to buy a bike from them-- I'd be much more comfortable on a carbon frame"

Filth?

Welcome to the 41.

thank you for your contribution. we will get back to you.

I couldn't agree more, the moderators here suck!!!

don't do it. you will get unsolicited advices on interior decorating and moving the furniture around.

tl;dr

You likely have very long legs so your advice might not be for him. There's a guy that just posted on another thread and he's 6'6 and is comfortable on a 62. The OP went to six shops and the consenus was a 58 was good.

you should be safe if you do it in front of a white garage door

Listen to Her....

Don't forget the color of the garage door if its outside

The six shops also allegedly recommended that the OP would "be much more comfortable on a carbon frame".

See what I mean. It's rapid!

He's not you.

Are you his physician? On what basis do you prescribe fitting parameters appropriate for his medical condition?

He's not too heavy for 23mm tires, regardless of what Grant Peterson says.

If you feel stretched out, yet at the same time think the frame might be small for you, it might indicate that the frame is close enough but you're just not used to the position. Perhaps your LBS will let you try out a few different stems to maybe get you to a more upright position that may feel more comfortable to you. As you get more and more used to the bike, you may want to lower your handlebars more. Try a stem that's maybe 17-degrees of rise. Depending on the height of the head tube, that should get your bars pretty much even with your saddle.

If after riding the bike with the upright stem for a while you still feel strange, you'll need to decide if it's just a little strange (get a full bike fitting) or if it's really uncomfortable. If it's really uncomfortable, go to local shops and test out their comfort-oriented road bikes and see if they feel any different. If they do, then sell your bike and look at getting one of the comfort ones.

I just went down to the garage and measured, and the flats of the bars are 4.5 inches below the saddle.
Is the measurement from the top of the saddle to the pedal spindle at full bottom at all relevant compared with my "cycling inseam"? I just measured both as well.

That's a very aggressive setup. Well done.

Fixed.