ctpres

Short story - ordered 54cm full carbon road bike with Ultegra, FSA Energy crank and FSA Energy wheels.
Got 56cm Sram, FSA slk light crank and FSA energy wheels.
Did quick Ebay price check and looks like $400 difference.
Already riding and so far only noticeable difference to my body is must move hands more often and I think that could be solved by changing stem from 110 to 80 at around sixty bucks.
Need to decide pretty quick. Opinions?
Bike already in signature.

qcpmsame 

You've ridden the bicycle so you know what it feels like, moving your hands around more is a sign something isn't correct, in my book. If you haven't damaged anything I'd be sending it back. You may get grief about riding it when you saw it was incorrectly sized and not immediately returning it, no answer there for you.

Bill

RollCNY

Personally, I wouldn't. I order things that I want, and don't leave it up to the supplier to send me what they want.

However, lots of manufacturers list on their websites that parts may be substituted. The crank to me falls in that, the group set wouldn't.

But that is me. If you are happy with it, don't feel like you got screwed, and can not have it bother you every time you ride it, then keep it.

Cookiemonsta

I would only keep it if it were somehow surprisingly comfortable and a better fitting size for your particular anatomy than the one you ordered. If that is not the case, I would not keep it.

ctpres

Already told seller. Currently waiting on him to decide how to resolve. I just want to be ready with counter if I don't like his solution. I did tell him keeping it should be an option.

rpenmanparker 

Yes, by all means keep the wrong bike, wrong size, wrong components. You know in your heart that you are not worthy of being treated properly by an online dealer and cannot ever expect to get what you want. You just don't deserve it. I am disgusted to think you might be so presumptuous to even suggest that you might have the option to rectify this situation.

OR

Ship the damn thing back to whoever you bought it from today and let them know they have lost your business. Or demand a replacement and a further discount to make up for your trouble. If they don't like it, just dispute the charge on your credit card. No one should settle for that kind of bait and switch.

WHICH OF THE ABOVE IS CORRECT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

rangerdavid

well, if it doesn't fit you, it's not like a bad haircut, it won't grow back. a bike is a long term investment. get what you want and what fit you and then you'll have years and many miles of enjoyment instead of years and miles of trying to make one that doesn't fit work.

dmcdam

I wouldn't leave it up to the seller to decide how to resolve this. They'll likely deciding which resolution will be cheapest/easiest for them. You're the one who paid the money - you should tell them how you want the situation resolved. Personally I'd send it back for the better fit. Going to an 80mm stem sounds like a workaround solution. You paid good money for that bike and it should fit you like a glove - once set up correctly of course.

canam73

Putting an 80mm stem on a 56cm frame is how shops screw customers into buying the wrong size bike.

Do not let that happen whether it is online or in your town.

thunderworks

A bike that doesn't fit will always be a compromise. All value in bikes begins with fit. Don't keep any bike that doesn't fit.

Homebrew01

Is this a NEW bike ? If so, you should not have ridden it, because you'll be sending back a used bike. That's not fair to the seller, even though they made a mistake.

As for fit, I suppose it depends on how sure you are that the 54 is correct size for you.

WestPablo

If the bike has not been extensively ridden, any seller should be willing to accept the return, provided that the bike has not been damaged. It's not like driving a new car off the lot.

If no contract was signed and no preliminary agreements were made regarding this sale, I'm most certain that the seller would be accommodating, if a fifty dollar return fee was provided.

gsa103

New is always a relative term. A new bike on the shop floor will likely have a few test rides, he presumably didn't do anything different.

110-80cm stem is a pretty significant shift (unless the 54cm comes with 100mm stem). Unless you really likely SRAM I'd be tempted to return the bike.

ctpres

Hi OP Here: Just to let all know outcome - it' mine now. End result in weight savings for all components alone is almost ONE pound. I probably put on more miles "testing" it than I would from LBS. Other than hands all body parts happy with it. Moved seat fwd and during short 16 mile ride today - hands were happy. Probably will not change stem unless problems crop up on longer rides. Maybe mental more that bike but did PR on two mile segment.

dtrain

Well, it sounds like it could fit. But you don't want to dail in the reach by slamming the saddle forward. Do a little research on KOPS and keep your eyes open for a 90mm and/or 100mm stem.

surgeonstone

Wrong size shoes...do you keep them?

Darth Steele

Sounds to me like the seller sold you what he had in stock. That would truly annoy the hell out of me.

1. Somehow you are thinking that you are getting the better end of deal?
2. If you wanted to keep the bike you should still have threatened to return it until the seller offered you something for your trouble.
3. Since you bought a 54cm bike I am guessing that you are around 5'9-5"10 in height? To me bigger bikes look awkward.
4. For $2K+ you should have gotten exactly what you wanted


post up some pics already

PeregrineA1

Many if not most people have a range of sizes that they can fit with a bit of parts tuning. I can do 57 to 60. Then again most my stuff is C&V steel. My CF falls in the middle of that range.

Astrozombie

I did my sizing up on one of those sites that somebody linked to around here (5'11'') and it said I would be from 54-58 "Relaxed fit" all the way to "French aggressive" ^

Didn't realize at the time that the page said "traditional frame size = 59" Doh! And with a sloping top tube the standover is too high. I'm not sure if i just need to get used to the position/stretch out/lose beer belly or if it is indeed too big.

This is a $300 bike though, for $2K you should be raising hell TC

never_recover

Sounds like you're happy with it which is all that matters...

A bike that's a little too big is not usually a problem functionally, it just might not adhere to the esthetic "standards" these days (i.e. lots of seatpost extension, 15cm drop, long slammed stem, etc.)...

Don't hesitate to play with stem length/height, a shorter stem require all of 5 mins to adapt to.. However, as mentioned above, avoid playing with seat fore/aft (maybe get a no-setback seat post if you don't have one?)..

Hope I'll still be planning centuries at 75 yo I Have to remember that I live in one of the best cycling regions in the world and do a few long rides this year..

macca33

Very odd situation this one. If it works for you, all well and good, but if the wrong size ends up being an issue, then you've got nowhere to go now......

achoo

No. Do not research KOPS. Your knee does not have to be over the pedal. At all.

Read this instead to figure out your fit:

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

ctpres

Pic's requested - hope this works.
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNj...SoOtv/$_57.JPG
Pic is with as advertised components. Will post the REAL thing in day or two.