Leg straight on saddle? Noob question

[harrow1977]

Hi All

I've been reading about the correct sizing/location for the saddle, and a lot of sites seem to state that when I'm on the saddle and my foot is on the pedal at the lowest point in the rotatation, my leg should be almost straight.

Surely that implies that you can barely reach the ground with your foot in the case you need to stop though? Or are we supposed to lean to one side when we stop?

Any help appreciated!

 

[mcshroom]

You shouldn't normally be able to reach the floor from your saddle. When you stop it's normal to slide off the front of the saddle and then reseat yourself as you set off. Or if you are a show off you can learn to track stand

If your feet can reach the floor then the distance will be too short, and you will feel it in your thighs when you do any climbing or start building up the distance.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Hi All

I've been reading about the correct sizing/location for the saddle, and a lot of sites seem to state that when I'm on the saddle and my foot is on the pedal at the lowest point in the rotatation, my leg should be almost straight.

Surely that implies that you can barely reach the ground with your foot in the case you need to stop though? Or are we supposed to lean to one side when we stop?

Any help appreciated!

Get the idea out of your head that you have to be able to touch the ground. We all grew up with that one. After my bike fit i learnt that what you have read is right and you do not need to be able to touch the ground. I now have the best leg extension ever enabling me to produce good power through my legs. The difference is quite amazing.

 

[biggs682]

learn how to track stand ! not many of us can track stand whilst traffic lights are red

 

[harrow1977]

Thanks mate - I should have prefaced my post saying that I only recently got into cycling (last time I properly cycled was when I was a kid in the 90's!).

So let me get this right - if I come up to a traffic light and need to stop, I should be sliding myself forward off the saddle and then standing? I've been looking at what other folk do and there seems to be a wide variety of behavior so not sure what's correct!

 

[Hill Wimp]

Thanks mate - I should have prefaced my post saying that I only recently got into cycling (last time I properly cycled was when I was a kid in the 90's!).

So let me get this right - if I come up to a traffic light and need to stop, I should be sliding myself forward off the saddle and then standing? I've been looking at what other folk do and there seems to be a wide variety of behavior so not sure what's correct!

Spot on

 

[Cuchilo]

I can just about touch the ground with my toes so can keep a balance when stopped . If I raised the seat any more I don't think my foot would be on the pedal at the lowest point .

 

[Pat "5mph"]

So let me get this right - if I come up to a traffic light and need to stop, I should be sliding myself forward off the saddle and then standing? I've been looking at what other folk do and there seems to be a wide variety of behavior so not sure what's correct!

Smoothly slide off the saddle or jump off if so inclined, then stand. Jump back on when ready to take off.
Other (clipped in ) folks might prefer to stay on the bike hanging from the nearest rails/lamp post while the lights are red

 

[Hill Wimp]

If you are new to this cycling lark get into the habit of unclipping one side as you approach the junction. For safetys sake more than anything else and there is nothing worse at a junction than a circling cyclist getting in the way of a car or falling onto one.

 

[aerobrain]

I've just raised my saddle an inch or so using the 109% method. I've got size 12 feet though so wondering if I'll need to raise it a touch more.

Anyone else used this method and got any thoughts/tips pro/con?! I started cycling about 4 months ago and have done about 1100 miles and found that I was doing really well on the flat but struggled like mad up the hills. From what I've read the higher saddle position should help this so will see how it goes!! Hopefully get to try it in the morning weather permitting!!

 

[Hill Wimp]

I've just raised my saddle an inch or so using the 109% method. I've got size 12 feet though so wondering if I'll need to raise it a touch more.

Anyone else used this method and got any thoughts/tips pro/con?! I started cycling about 4 months ago and have done about 1100 miles and found that I was doing really well on the flat but struggled like mad up the hills. From what I've read the higher saddle position should help this so will see how it goes!! Hopefully get to try it in the morning weather permitting!!

Made a world of difference to my hill attempts which are now turning to successes. Raise it then try it and if its not working raise it again.

 

[mcshroom]

I don't know that method so can't help I'm afraid.

I've always worked on the "leg straight, heel on pedal" method for fitting, and then fine tuned from there depending on whether I could feel burning in my thighs (too low) or could feel myself rocking in the saddle (too high). It's worth a bit of fiddling and adjusting on a couple rides to get it spot on though

 

[Sittingduck]

So let me get this right - if I come up to a traffic light and need to stop, I should be sliding myself forward off the saddle and then standing?

Yes

 

[musa]

Im off the direct measurement now. Measure your inseam subtract 10. Then middle of saddle to middle of bb is your measurement.

Or the 35 deg angle in leg. Some say 25 bur ita only a guide to fitting

 

[Cuchilo]

Im off the direct measurement now. Measure your inseam subtract 10. Then middle of saddle to middle of bb is your measurement.

BB ?