Bike Fit Question

There's a world of difference between fitting for best position, and "fitting" a bike post-purchase. What you did was the latter, and quite frankly was likely not worth the $250 you paid for it, especially since it resulted in a position that you find "cramped". Basing a future purchase on this fitting is just throwing good money after bad.

I'd suggest waiting until you can accumulate enough cash to get a new fitting (done properly) pre-puchase as well as buying the bike. The season is basically over, yes? You can make due with what you've got for a little while longer.

Slowtwitch has Stack and Reach tables for most tri bikes in every size and many articles that explain all the details to understand the concepts well. Spend some time reading and understanding. I would check to see if stack and reach of the two bikes the shop recommended had similar stack and reach, and if not run not walk away from their recommendations.

P2 in 48 stack 46.1 reach 38.9

650C

int

110

70x6

Low

75/78

568

I look at the QR data and not sure which model was recommended and don't see any in a 48.

I had about the same experience.  My first bike was a used Cannondale and I used their on-line chart to put myself in a 58 frame.  When I took the used bike into the LBS/Cannondale Reps for a basic fitting they told be that they would have put me in a 56 and that Tri bikes often run a size smaller on people that a street bike.  After completing my first 70.3 I was pretty sure that I was going to stick with Triathlon for a while and though that i should get a fit first approach to make sure my next bike fit me.  My Fitter gave me a list of bikes that were on the floor in the store, but not of them were an exact fit and all of the them would require adjustment to get to my fit.  The bike fitter gave me a maximum reach height and maximum stack height as a starting point for me to start my own search.  He said the most important would be the stak height for me.  I was surprised that of the 200+ tri bike geometries that I looked through in a few geometry databases that the 58 Cannondale Slice was actually one of the better fits out their for me.  The frame sizes however varied between manufacturers and even between different models from the same manufactures.  I fit as small as a 55/56 in some models and as big as a 60 in others (or as small as Medium and large as XL).  58 was the size that came up most often though.  :-) I fund 5-6 models that meet the stack/reach requirements and noticed that one had a really good margin of safety on both specs.  I choose that one and one the one that was the closest to hitting the specs right ont he money and asked my fitter whihc would be the better fit.  He went to the Top Center spec and told them that neither were int he range that we was looking for for my fit.  I went back to the list and their were only two bikes that fit the top center range.  I asked him about those two bikes and I basically got the feeling that he felt that I would be faster with an hour of position training that I would be with $1000 of a customer frame to meet my specs.  He said just get close and then get the modifications/adjustments that you need for the bike to get to your position and that will probably be the best option.  

So....for me frame sizes varied from 55-60 based on the stake reach specs that my bike fitter was looking at.  He also was looking at top center height and probably every other dimension specified on the bike too.  The geometry of every frame is different and getting the one that fits you could vary as you go from model to model.  

Note:  I also was worried that me fitter fit was biased based on my current bike's fit.  He however assured me that the fit he sent me was for me and that he arrived at it independent of my current fit.  The fit that your fitter sent you also will be a custom fit for you.   You current bike didn't quite get to that fit but you fitter is confidant they he can get you to that fit with the bikes he has in stock.  They make require some modifications/adjustments, but they are probably close enough that he isn't going to recommend a $1000 custom fit frame but rather start with a stock frame and them customer fit your position..