i like my seat as high as i can physically have it, you can always lean the bike to the left or right when you stop, try and have it so you can just reach the floor when you aren't stopping, though if you still find it too low, go for a bigger frame size. Decathlon fitted my Triban well, and even though i'm 5' 10", i'm on a 23" frame, as i have long arms/legs, would have gone for the 21" otherwise. so, make sure your bike fits you well
Raising the saddle
- Thread starter amelia-jane
- Start date
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i like my seat as high as i can physically have it, you can always lean the bike to the left or right when you stop, try and have it so you can just reach the floor when you aren't stopping, though if you still find it too low, go for a bigger frame size. Decathlon fitted my Triban well, and even though i'm 5' 10", i'm on a 23" frame, as i have long arms/legs, would have gone for the 21" otherwise. so, make sure your bike fits you well
amelia-jane
Active Member
- Location
- Birmingham
I can do the sudden braking and shooting forward out the saddle to land on both feet type of stopping but this doesn't seem ideal except in an emergency or i'm late for work, have breaked too late and am about to hit the bike bin...
I've tried raising the saddle a little at a time but although i did get the saddle a bit higher as soon as i can no longer reach the floor seated i can't manage to stop without panicking and falling.
I tried again on the way home tonight with the saddle at my usual height but trying to get out of the saddle instead of remaining seated. I found it impossible! I just can't get my backside out of the saddle, i swear it's glued. I'm off work Monday so will have to raise the saddle so i can't stay in it and practise in the car park - bit safer than at roundabouts in traffic. I don't have anyone to watch and advise but as the car park is surrounded by dodgy flats i'm sure i'll get plenty of helpful comments!
I've tried raising the saddle a little at a time but although i did get the saddle a bit higher as soon as i can no longer reach the floor seated i can't manage to stop without panicking and falling.
I tried again on the way home tonight with the saddle at my usual height but trying to get out of the saddle instead of remaining seated. I found it impossible! I just can't get my backside out of the saddle, i swear it's glued. I'm off work Monday so will have to raise the saddle so i can't stay in it and practise in the car park - bit safer than at roundabouts in traffic. I don't have anyone to watch and advise but as the car park is surrounded by dodgy flats i'm sure i'll get plenty of helpful comments!
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I've never really thought about it but my saddle is quite high and I never have a problem dismounting or stopping, I think I just slide forward off the saddle.
- Location
- Glasgow
Yes: remember you are still young and agile.
I've stabbed myself with the rear mudguard spiky thighmy many a times on dismounting when tired
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I think I do what is shown in the video andrew posts above (without a skirt thoughYes: remember you are still young and agile.
I've stabbed myself with the rear mudguard spiky thighmy many a times on dismounting when tired
) , stand on the pedal and step forward. I don't think it takes much agility, which is probably a good thing cause I've not got much 
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Track stand for a few seconds and then put your foot down
lulubel
Über Member
- Location
- Malaga, Spain
Don't worry about raising your saddle just yet, and don't worry about stopping either!
Just decide which foot you're going to put on the ground. Most people prefer to put their left foot down.
Find yourself a nice, flat, quiet place to ride, where you can freewheel for a bit. Get up some speed, then position your pedals so the foot you're NOT going to put down is in the lower position. Put all your weight on it, and stand up, so your bum comes forward and off the saddle. Then sit down again.
Practice this until you're comfortable with it.
Then do the same thing, but take your other foot off the pedal and wave it around a bit. (You might look like a bit of a prat, but that isn't the important thing!)
Again, practice until you're relaxed and comfortable.
The final step is to do all the above, and once all your weight is on one foot and the other foot is clear of the pedal, squeeze the brakes gently and come to a stop. You've got one foot floating around in the air, so you'll naturally put it on the ground to balance you.
Practice until comfortable.
Then raise the saddle.
You'll still need to think hard about stopping for a while, but in time it will become second nature.
I went through exactly the same process as you a few years ago. I'd been riding with my saddle too low and it was causing me knee pain. It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it, but after a while, you won't even have to think about it.
- Location
- Glasgow
As Lulubel said, it will come natural after a few rides.
Much better for the old knees
Much better for the old knees
deptfordmarmoset
Full time tea drinker
- Location
- Armonmy Way
Stopping at the lights, one foot stays on the pedal as I step down and stand up. I feel more stable standing with one foot on the ground than I would do sitting, leaning the bike over and stretching a foot. It also gets you to straighten up and disencumber your butt for a few moments.
Setting off again, I first get the pedal in a starting position and use it to both start off and step back up onto the saddle at the same time.
Setting off again, I first get the pedal in a starting position and use it to both start off and step back up onto the saddle at the same time.
Eribiste
Careful with that axle Eugene
- Location
- Eckington, Worcestershire
I still do love it, and the style, but I'm afraid all the bike porn pictures of lightweight road bikes has seduced me, and I'm going to put some funds together to buy one. Unfortunately I haven't got space or funds for two bikes. I suppose the next thing will be me frightening small children and horses by wearing lycra. Is the world ready for this?
- Location
- Glasgow
You got Cycle Chatted!I still do love it, and the style, but I'm afraid all the bike porn pictures of lightweight road bikes has seduced me, and I'm going to put some funds together to buy one. Unfortunately I haven't got space or funds for two bikes. I suppose the next thing will be me frightening small children and horses by wearing lycra. Is the world ready for this?
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
a-j, I read this thread last night and was fascinated because I couldn't quite work out what I do. Today's experiment showed that I stay in the saddle when stopping and lean over to my right side. The foot comes off the pedal, the bike leans to the right, and my foot goes to the ground with my bum still in the saddle.
Strangly enough, I can just about put two toes on the ground like a ballerina on her points, still in the saddle, but that is hard work and I'm not exactly Rudolf Nureyev. I come off the saddle when stopped only at railway crossings. Odd that.
BTW, it really is worth getting your saddle height, saddle position (both fore and aft) , and you bar height/stem stuff sorted.
After those adjustments, you really will want to stop happily, and you will. Good luck.
Strangly enough, I can just about put two toes on the ground like a ballerina on her points, still in the saddle, but that is hard work and I'm not exactly Rudolf Nureyev. I come off the saddle when stopped only at railway crossings. Odd that.
BTW, it really is worth getting your saddle height, saddle position (both fore and aft) , and you bar height/stem stuff sorted.
After those adjustments, you really will want to stop happily, and you will.
Good luck.
Boon 51
Veteran
- Location
- Deal. Kent.
amelia-jane
Active Member
- Location
- Birmingham
Thanks for all the help!
I'm finally getting the hang of it!
I've left the saddle at my usual height for now as i really have to concentrate to get it right at the moment, which is ok when practising on car parks and quiet roads but as soon as i encounter traffic and have other things to focus on i find i fall straight back into my old method and with the saddle any higher i will just keel over if the ground isn't where i expect it to be when i come to a stop!
It really is amazingly difficult to retrain your brain after doing something a particular way for so long.
Going to need a lot more practise before it becomes automatic but i'm really pleased i'm finally getting it. It was always something i just thought other people could do and i couldn't
I'm finally getting the hang of it!
I've left the saddle at my usual height for now as i really have to concentrate to get it right at the moment, which is ok when practising on car parks and quiet roads but as soon as i encounter traffic and have other things to focus on i find i fall straight back into my old method and with the saddle any higher i will just keel over if the ground isn't where i expect it to be when i come to a stop!
It really is amazingly difficult to retrain your brain after doing something a particular way for so long.
Going to need a lot more practise before it becomes automatic but i'm really pleased i'm finally getting it. It was always something i just thought other people could do and i couldn't
