Confirming if my bike is too small?

I'm currently on a nice 2009 Blue Ora. Frame size is a 51 (I think) - assuming the little sticker inside the rear wheel arch is correct.

Geometry (from http://www.orbea.com.au/fly.aspx?layout=bikes&taxid=66&pid=149)

SEAT TUBE (2) 590
TOP TUBE (3) 534
HEADTUBE (4) 95
CHAINSTAY (5) 385
SEAT ANGLE (6) 74/76
HEAD ANGLE (7) 73
STACK ( 512
REACH (9) 395

I'm currently running a heap of spacers and, I think a 110 stem.

The bike shop fit me up and measured the bike up, so they were happy enough with the fit and they let me have it on very good terms. I don't think they'd sell me something that was totally not right for me.
The first bike they put me on was a size 57 Orbea Enol

SEAT TUBE (2) 520
TOP TUBE (3) 570
HEADTUBE (4) 176
CHAINSTAY (5) 405
SEAT ANGLE (6) 73.2
HEAD ANGLE (7) 73.2
STACK ( 590
REACH (9) 391

I know the TT bike is usually smaller, but is it too small?
It didn't seem to affect me too much at the last sprint I did - my run was probably the best run leg I've done so far.
But there's just that nagging doubt.
How do I confirm if the bike is or isn't right for me, hopefully without hurting my relationship with the bike shop?

Go see a local independant bike fitter who has a good history.

Brian Maclean is the go to guy. Andrew K will have his details and hopefully sees this.

Yep Brian Mclean is the bees kness, ducks nuts when it comes to bike fitting. He fitted me to my time trial bike in Sep 09, he has an office at Qld Sports Medicine at the Gabba...he is a sports scientist who use to work for the AIS. He now works for cycling NZ I think. He is a bit eccy but you get what you pay for. i would highly recommend him. $250 for 1 bike & I think $375 for two bikes.

His email is: brianmclean@ozemail.com.au

I need to have him fit me to my new roadie actually. You probably won't get to see him for at least 2 weeks though.

Clarkey

Brian's price's have gone up, now its $320 for 1 bike. Last I heard there was about a 2 or 3 month wait list to see him.

How tall are you? Dave B. tells me at least 6ft?

If so IMO then it is too small. Having look at the geometry I wuold say you need the 54 or even the 57 depending how you are going to set it up, road or tt.

I'm 5'10ish and have a 548 TT frame set up at 76 that's a little too big for me. Rode a 540 TT setup at 78 that was spot on.

http://www.bikesplit.com/bikefit.htm

never used them.. found them searching the net one time..


disclaimer.. could be cheap easy way out

Dave C wrote:How tall are you? Dave B. tells me at least 6ft?

Yeah 6 ft 1 ish.
Setup would be most probably be like the current bike - drops with clip ons.

Seat forward, middle or back?

measure seat height center of BB to top of seat, front of seat to center of handle bars and center of bars to ground. Do your knees hit the arm rest of your aero bars?

Seat is in "Chrono" position (rear). Have never had it in "Tri" position (forward). It seems to be pretty much as far back on the seat rails as it could be as well. (I.E pushed as far toward the back wheel as possible)

Centre BB to top of seat 770
Front of seat to centre Handlebars 520
Centre bars to ground 880

60 mm of spacers

I don't hit the arm rests - I have to pay a bit of attention if I'm out of the seat climbing, but I can't remember bashing my knee or thigh.

I went into the bike shop today and chatted to the team.
They're positive it's the right size, but they're going to tweak cranks and stem to try and lift me up a bit.
We'll see after that.

There are a number of bikes that would be better suited to the position they've put you in (ie wouldn't need to go above the spacer limit). But it's not impossible for a 6ft person to be on a 51 - so from that view it 'could' be the right size, but as you are currently positioned it's not.

Picked it up today.
Longer cranks.
Shorter stem, angled upwards, bars around 35 mm higher.
Pads for aero bars another 10 mm higher too.
Will take it for a spin on Thursday probably.

FINALLY got around to having someone else take a look.
Steely and Dingo both think it's probably a size too small.
It's not the reason I suck though