can someone help me please

[Linda Burns]

I have a mountain bike that I need help with. I am only 5ft and my bike is 43cm frame size. When I ride it I have to keep adjusting myself on the seat, I have to keep moving back on the seat. The seat is adjusted as far back as possible. Its very uncomfortable. Also when my foot is fully extended on the pedal my knee is still quite bent. I'm sure I need a bigger size frame but I am comfortable when sat on the seat with my feet on the floor (tip toes).
I don't want to stretch myself anymore that way. What do I need to do to get this right?

 

[Mo1959]

If you are sliding forward it sounds more like the level of the saddle is wrong. Is the nose tipped too far down? If you slacken off the bolts holding the seat to the clamp and try and get your saddle as level as possible.

I know it feels safer when you are starting out, but you don't have to be able to put your feet down. Sounds like you could do with the saddle a bit higher which will make pedaling easier too. You will soon get used to just sliding forward on the saddle and putting a foot down when you come to a halt.

As far as saddle comfort, I am afraid that seems to take time in the saddle before you start getting used to it. If it really doesn't seem to get any better after clocking up some miles, thens the time to maybe start looking at other saddles. I believe some bike shops have a way of measuring your sit bone width so you can maybe find one more to suit your specific shape.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Linda Burns]

If you are sliding forward it sounds more like the level of the saddle is wrong. Is the nose tipped too far down? If you slacken off the bolts holding the seat to the clamp and try and get your saddle as level as possible.

I know it feels safer when you are starting out, but you don't have to be able to put your feet down. Sounds like you could do with the saddle a bit higher which will make pedaling easier too. You will soon get used to just sliding forward on the saddle and putting a foot down when you come to a halt.

As far as saddle comfort, I am afraid that seems to take time in the saddle before you start getting used to it. If it really doesn't seem to get any better after clocking up some miles, thens the time to maybe start looking at other saddles. I believe some bike shops have a way of measuring your sit bone width so you can maybe find one more to suit your specific shape.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Linda Burns]

Thanks for info.
With regards to sliding on seat. I have to keep pushing myself backwards because the seat is to far forward. I'm more comfy when my rear is hanging over the back of the seat. .
I will have a tinker and see what happens.
Thanks again

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Try moving the saddle forward, and rising it, as Mo says make sure it's level, put the bike on flat ground and use a spirit level if you have one.

 

[Linda Burns]

Try moving the saddle forward, and rising it, as Mo says make sure it's level, put the bike on flat ground and use a spirit level if you have one.

Thankyou.
Will have a tinker with it.

 

[DooDah]

A level saddle also may not suit, if the reach to the bars is quite stretched then you may need to have the nose of the saddle pointing up slightly. Also saddles have different shapes. My previous saddle (a boardman) was flat and I needed nose up a a little. However, my current saddle (a charge spoon) is, well, spoon shaped so it keeps me in the saddle better so I have it level (nose to tail).

 

[Nigelnaturist]

A level saddle also may not suit, if the reach to the bars is quite stretched then you may need to have the nose of the saddle pointing up slightly. Also saddles have different shapes. My previous saddle (a boardman) was flat and I needed nose up a a little. However, my current saddle (a charge spoon) is, well, spoon shaped so it keeps me in the saddle better so I have it level (nose to tail).

Ok maybe I should have inserted "as a starting point", I stand corrected.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Bike position is a very personal thing and taking account of what you have put re height and reach, have you considered a layback seatpost to shift the saddle clamp back and lengthen your reach without affecting the height?