Who thinks this guy should have tried a frame that was one size larger?
I wish I had a picture of the seatpost…it is HIGH (like 9 or 10 inches exposed), which leads me to believe, he could have gotten a larger frame, decreased the spacers, lowered his seat, shortened his stem by 10-20mm and he would have a frame that actually fits him? I told him he should see about returning it to the shop, they didnt even suggest he go up or down one size, he just pulled the one off the floor that had a good “stand over height” and then they started helping him.
Hey, we all need someone that buys a P3 in the wrong size so that we can get a good deal for it when they sell it. I purchased my P3 (alu frameset) for $600 nearly 2 or 3 years ago from somebody that didn’t get the right size. I’m looking to upgrade to a carbon version some day, so let them buy the wrong size 
I would have him go back to the shop to discuss.
Bump with a better picture
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If you want someone on here to even have a moderatly good idea if the person should return it… Post more then a picture of the aerobars. Like maybe of him on the bike. Just a thought.
Grant
I dont have a pic of him on it and to tell you the truth I havent even seen him on it. However, a bike with 2" of spacers under the stem with the seat as high as it is, tell’s me he could possibly have gone up a frame size. The bike was purchased from a well known shop, nationally known, for it’s bike and it’s fits, but I dont think they put the time into this one if the fit he ended up with has that many spacers under the stem. Looking at the specs, he could have gone with a 58, shortened the stem, lowered everything, and most likely would have been a better fit. I am not looking for a fit critique, just curious if anyone else had the same reaction I did to that steer tube, before I go with him back to the shop and ask for a different frame and fit?
It’s actually the reference to “good standover height” that has me most concerned. The P3C has one of the shortest headtubes in the industry. For example, if that was a 56 P3C, with VisionTechs which are very low stack aerobars, and you compared it to a Size L Trek eTTX with say Syntace Bars, you’d have a very different looking number of spacers.
It is entirely possible that the frame size IS wrong. But it is impossibel to know from what you’ve said and shown. For example, your friend might be very tall with a very short torso, which would mean he’d need a small frame relative to his height, which would lead to a lot of seatpost showing, and all the spacers. If that is the case, the P3C is probably the WORST bike for him. But even just changing aerobars might give you are very different looking front end.
But from what you’ve described, we have no way to know what to think.
I agree on the P3C headtube, extremely short – not aware of any shorter. What is considered a long/short torso? My measurements are below:
Height (Length) 178 cm
Inseam 82.5 cm
Torso Lengh 62.5 cm
Arm 71 cm
Thigh 59.5
Lower Leg 54.5
Sternal Notch 146.5
I have a size 54 P3C with all the spacers in, 100mm stem, with the VisionTechs and lots of seatpost showing (7.25 inches). I don’t think it is the wrong size, it may be the wrong bike for me with all the drop but I wanted the flexibility to go lower if possible. The FIST fitter who set me up says any lower and I compromise my hip angle.
I tried out the 56 and it was just way too long on top and would have required a super short stem, but I could have elminated some spacers and seatpost. The P2C would have been the better choice, but at the time of my decision, there was no P2C (Aug 2005).
I think most people can probably fit on two sizes and it’s a personal choice which one they choose. Personally, I think a short stem (90 and below) compromises the handling of the bike and I prefer going smaller versus bigger.
Swap your vision techs for some hi-stack aerobars and you’ll lose a lot of spacers. Profile T2’s or Syntace would be much better, in terms of eliminating spacers.
I’m not sure there is a true definition for long/short in the torso. But I don’t think, based on your measurements, you’d be considered long or short. Dan might have a better idea, from seeing so many people, as to what sort of % of overall height defines short/long. I would put it more along the lines of pornography myself - “I know it when I see it.”