My frame is too small, what are the repercussions?

[Polkamon]

I have a medium Giant and at 5'8" its great for me. Hubby has been known to ride it to the shops and back and says that it gives him leg ache, back ache, wrist ache and its simply too darn small for him. He is 5'11". He also looks a bit strange on it.
He says that, even on the hoods, he is still very upright and it is most uncomfortable.

At your height, a medium Giant frame sounds way too small. Maybe a trip to your LBS and try test riding a few other bikes. Not saying to necessarily purchase if your budget doesn't go that far but it will give you a better idea of frame size

That does seem small, it may be a compact frame meaning it accomodates a lrger rider but even then it still sounds too small. The key question though is do you, the rider, feel its too small, cramped, uncomfortable, etc.

Yeah, that's a good point, I don't HAVE to buy it, I can try a few, see how beneficial it would be to get a bigger size and see if that justifies the money.

That does seem small, it may be a compact frame meaning it accomodates a lrger rider but even then it still sounds too small. The key question though is do you, the rider, feel its too small, cramped, uncomfortable, etc.

The strange thing is, I've never had any of those symptoms and I've probably done almost 1000 miles on it in three years.

oh dear oh dear, your now destined to a life of,wanting a new shiny bike,and woundering if the lastest update is for you, tragic as there is no cure. but take hart your not alone,and therapy is avlibale at some cost from your lbs

Exactly! I'm going to struggle not to plump for a full carbon...that's the danger.

You could get a frame only and transfer the parts over from the Giant, but it may be time to consider a proper bike fitting and purchase of a new steed that fits you. In solidarity with the OP, I think we should all run out and buy a bike this weekend. A sort of new holiday.

I've considered that yes, but like you say, I feel like I deserve 'a new steed' (I haven't heard that expression used in this context before but I absolutely love it haha) given my time on the road and thorough enjoyment of the hobby. The idealist inside me pines for this. If only.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I'd suggest trying some friends bikes or some other situation where you can try out a larger bike, say about a 58cm, and see if that doesn't help. I had no idea bikes came in other sizes until I got involved in cycling more than I was. When I found out, I hunted down a used frame that fit me.(63-65cm) I've made a bit of a collection of large bikes and frames I've run across, over the years.
A recent, rusticated British Gentleman I ran across the other day, sure to be a project for winter.
and a friend from France, found in a bookseller's basement. The Viscount is a little to small, the Peugeot a little large. But both will fit after modification. The Peugeot will get a shorter stem and smaller handlebars, and the Viscount the opposite. A racing bike may run a wee bit small, and a tourer is okay if a tad large. BTW, I'm 6'5" and 20 stone.

 

[biggs682]

@Polkamon i always have a few bikes in the garage and you are more than welcome to try them for size if local just shout

 

[wakou]

@biggs682 I think he's in Lancashire, but still, a kind offer to a stranger