Frame too small?

I just picked this up last night;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230267492498&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=013

And it feels so uncomfortable. I ride a 61cm Fuji Track, which is a tad too big for me, and I'm 6' 1" - 2". Is there any way I can set this up to work for me?

Any help much appreciated, because my back is killing me after riding in to work this morning and I'm planning on taking this to Paris next month.

What's the issue - do you need more reach or to raise the bars?

the advert says effortless touring ;)

Cyclefit if you have the cash. is it the bottom of your back?

I'm just really hunched over. I raised the saddle, and my legs feel OK, but the bars are close/low. To reach the brakes properly is a stretch (well, the opposite, but it hurts).

Problem is that I've only had the bike a few hours and I love it already - 531 frame, lovely colour - I really want to get it sorted rather then selling it again.

looks short. make sure your legs are straight while turning ;)

It's not to everyones taste but swapping out the stem to a Nitto Technomic would raise the bars up. Ben's sell them and it costs about £30 inc postage

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=technomic&sort=20a&page=1

quick spray with HTFU :)
longer stem with more rise is a good start.

Could be a number of things. If you can get someone to get a couple of action shots then might be able to offer some suggestions.

Is the saddle about 9inches higher than the handlebars?
Those handle bars could come up a few inches or go for the new stem as Broker said

How much is it safe to bring up the bars/saddle? I guess the higher they go, the more leverage there is trying to bust the frame.

Seatpost leverage would be an issue if you're very heavy and only have a 2'' insert for example. Not a problem to have a tall stem - they're quite common on tourers.

Action shot!

Saddle height looks ok.
Seems like you need more reach and height for the bars... Maybe a front end like this would help:

If I were you I'd trade the ugly thing in for that beautiful cherubim low-pro on the njs blogspot site.

Are you calling that Thorn ugly? It's b-e-a-u-tiful.

Touring / audax bikes need to fit you well for long distances - I'd try the massive stem thing but keep looking for a biggie.. don't get attached! ;-)
Thorn are good bikes.

I'd say it definitely looks too small.

Are you calling that Thorn ugly? It's b-e-a-u-tiful.

Yes I am, and I'm calling any man who says it's beautiful 'blind'. It looks like a camping holiday on wheels.

Interesting, because the frame should be ballpark fine (although verging on the small size) for 6'1". What are the actual bike dimensions (seat tube and top tube centre-to-centre) and how high do you have your saddle (centre of botton-bracket to saddle top)?

For sure the stem and bars may need adjusting. Another possibility is the saddle position, maybe it's too far forward or the stem does not have enough set back? If you move the saddle back, clearly you increase the reach to the bars, but it also enables you to bring the saddle down a bit, because the distance from your hips to your feet has increased with a purely horizontal saddle movement.

Also, where exactly is you back hurting? Shoulders or lower back?

Courant

Touring / audax bikes need to fit you well for long distances - I'd try the massive stem thing but keep looking for a biggie.. don't get attached! ;-)
Thorn are good bikes.

agreeing with this.
For a touring bike, its better to be to big than too small.

You want a nice lofty frame with long wheelbase so you can sit more upright than a racey bike, and cruise. You can try a longer & higher stem. But too me it looks like it wont be enough. travelling any distance, you will have a world of pain in your neck and hunched shoulders.

Thorns are indeed nice, if you want to persevere with the frame I would reccommend some french / moustache style handlebars.

like this:

Nitto Doves & Albatross seem to be the best ones available.

If you're doing long rides you need the multiplicity of positions that drops afford. Moustache bars mean you are stuck in the same position - not good.

Longer (20mm?) higher stem as mentioned. You can also get about another 10mm reach by rotating your bars so the section behind the hoods is a bit flatter, and then untape the bars in order to move the hoods further round the bar.

A good ballpark measurement - when you're in the drops as pictured, bend your arms so that your forearms are more like parallel to the ground - your knees should only just brush against your triceps rather than clattering your arms.

frame seat tube in advert 22.5" seems about right for a 6'2" chap like yourself.
the action shot i think it looks like you have a top tube too short ?
hard to say really, but I'd try longer/ higher stem.

BTW nice bike i have the equivalent Dawes Super Galaxy in the same colour.
mine is super comfy, and my frame is 23" and I'm 6'3" , but the top tube in relative size, looks longer on mine.

maybe your bike was a made to measure bike ? hence the awkward geometry ?

Do a skid!

I am with Windy. TT looks a little short. try pulling the stem up 5cm - there will be a mark on it to show you minimum insertion.. as BMMF said a longer stem would work, somewhere around 100mm - 120mm.

Best make your mind up on the handle bars first. drops might not help the comfort and french style handle bars should only be used with care. you will need to develop some neat facial hair and start wearing jackets ala european style. unless you are a teacher, then they are just fine.

. . . but don't do this (seen on an Audax in Yorkshire).

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