Saddle height observation

[SpokeyDokey]

Whilst driving through some lanes to my house today I happened upon some sort of race/event - passed about 50 cyclists all numbered plus Marshals on the road etc.

There were some obviously very seasoned cyclists participating - big thick muscley legs. Some very nice bikes too ranging from high end road bikes to the rather strange looking (to my eyes) TT affairs.

What I did notice was that more than a good half dozen had their saddle set quite low ie the bend in their legs was quite pronounced. More pronounced than I would expect.

Btw not criticizing at all - these guys/girls would eat me for breakfast but it did seem odd.

Anyone else ever noticed this? Is it normal? Any reason why?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Anyone else ever noticed this? Is it normal? Any reason why?

Perhaps they simply find it comfortable, not one bike fit theory is suitable for everyone.
Personally it's the stems which surprise me, the number of people with road bikes and the stem flipped up I can never quite get over. It just looks odd to me.
Ultimately if they are comfortable, happy and enjoying cycling then good on them, that's the goal

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Perhaps they simply find it comfortable, not one bike fit theory is suitable for everyone.
Personally it's the stems which surprise me, the number of people with road bikes and the stem flipped up I can never quite get over. It just looks odd to me.
Ultimately if they are comfortable, happy and enjoying cycling then good on them, that's the goal

I totally agree with you re comfort. I've not really taken much notice of these things over the years but as I have just gotten back into cycling I looked a bit more closely today.

I was expecting everyone to have just a slightly bent knee. Two guys had there knees really bent - bit like a beginner who is a bit nervous about getting their feet down when stopping. Both looked like older riders and both were steaming along - much faster than I can ride. Just looked odd and I was just wondering how common this was etc.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Two guys had there knees really bent - bit like a beginner who is a bit nervous about getting their feet down when stopping. Both looked like older riders and both were steaming along - much faster than I can ride. Just looked odd and I was just wondering how common this was etc.

I probably have knees bent more than expected, I have have thrust upon me at various times the suggestion I should raise my saddle or put my heal on the pedal to prove I have it wrong. I like getting out of the saddle a lot when changing speed or climbing. I can't say that I feel at a disadvantage having my bikes set up this way, it just works for me.

 

[cyberknight]

I probably have knees bent more than expected, I have have thrust upon me at various times the suggestion I should raise my saddle or put my heal on the pedal to prove I have it wrong. I like getting out of the saddle a lot when changing speed or climbing. I can't say that I feel at a disadvantage having my bikes set up this way, it just works for me.

I have had this too,
I have had it suggested my saddle was to low and to far back but it seems to work for me and although i know seat height calculators and KOPS are bunk (?) if i actually work out my set up with those i an within a couple of mm .When i tried changing my set up it felt cack.

 

[buggi]

Perhaps they simply find it comfortable, not one bike fit theory is suitable for everyone.
Personally it's the stems which surprise me, the number of people with road bikes and the stem flipped up I can never quite get over. It just looks odd to me.
Ultimately if they are comfortable, happy and enjoying cycling then good on them, that's the goal

i have my stem flipped on my cross bike, not flipped on my road bike. my cross bike is more comfortable. i think it is to do with the fact that i am very tall, so have my seat very high, so flip the stem to compensate. i was thinking the other day of flipping my stem on my road bike, haven't decided yet.

 

[ayceejay]

Is it possible that this was an illusion due to the tucked aerodynamic position? If you watch sprinters (Cavendish, for example)in a bunch at the TdF they are on the front of the saddle and bent deep and it would be difficult to judge their general riding position and saddle hight from this, perhaps the same applies to your TTers.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Is it possible that this was an illusion due to the tucked aerodynamic position? If you watch sprinters (Cavendish, for example)in a bunch at the TdF they are on the front of the saddle and bent deep and it would be difficult to judge their general riding position and saddle hight from this, perhaps the same applies to your TTers.

Maybe that's it. wasn't all of them mind - some did look very scrunched up.

 

[cyberknight]

Maybe that's it. wasn't all of them mind - some did look very scrunched up.

http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/05/seat-set-back-for-road-bikes/