Saddle Height

[wilko]

Here is a picture of my bike. You will notice that the saddle is lower than the handlebars. I haven't yet found the riding position uncomfortable, but I notice everyone else seems to have their saddle higher than the bars. Do you think I have the correct size for me and does it matter too much?

 

[potsy]

Might be slightly too big,but if it's comfy then it don't matter.
What size is it and how tall are you?

 

[Arch]

If it's comfortable for you, over the distances you want to do, and the speed you're happy with, then it's fine.

My saddles are mostly level with, or lower than my handlebars, I don't like to be too bent over, and don't need to be too aerodynamic.

The important thing is that your saddle is the right height relative to the pedals - IE a slight bend in the knee at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/fit_sizing_position

 

[MacB]

Yep, some relative sizes would help, personally I found saddle too low gave me lower back pain. I was surprised by my saddle height once I had it correct. The theory is that you have the right amount of flex when your leg is full extended and that you don't need to rock your hips sideways to achieve this. Personally I find I can comfortably have it below this height, by up to 2 cm, but higher and it's no good.

After a lot of messing about I'm convinced that setting up a bike begins with saddle height and saddle set back(the latter is measured vertically from centre of BB to nose of saddle). Once this is correct then handlebars etc are positioned around it.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

if you look at the other parts of the web link it tells you how to measure your pbh and setting up saddle height.

 

[wilko]

Might be slightly too big,but if it's comfy then it don't matter.
What size is it and how tall are you?

The size is medium, (54cm) and I am 5' 8". I have adjusted the saddle height so my leg is in the correct position when I pedal, but it just doesn't quite look right to me.

Just edited this because in the link Shaun posted it says.

Sizing
We've found that most riders are most comfortable when the handlebar is a few centimeters higher than the saddle.
To achieve that bar height, it helps to start with a bike that's the largest practical size you can ride. We suggest you get the size that allows you to put the handlebar at least 2cm higher than the saddle. That works great for most people. You can always lower the bar if you find it's too high, but it's rare when that happens.


So perhaps the size is ok and I'm just being a tad paranoid!!

 

[potsy]

The size is medium, (54cm) and I am 5' 8". I have adjusted the saddle height so my leg is in the correct position when I pedal, but it just doesn't quite look right to me.

Just edited this because in the link Shaun posted it says.

Sizing
We've found that most riders are most comfortable when the handlebar is a few centimeters higher than the saddle.
To achieve that bar height, it helps to start with a bike that's the largest practical size you can ride. We suggest you get the size that allows you to put the handlebar at least 2cm higher than the saddle. That works great for most people. You can always lower the bar if you find it's too high, but it's rare when that happens.


So perhaps the size is ok and I'm just being a tad paranoid!!

Same size as my road bike I too am 5' 8" so should be ok.

 

[Randochap]

Don't look at anyone else's saddle/bar relationship and worry what that means for you. You wouldn't look at someone else's shoes and fret that maybe you should have bigger/smaller shoes.

Racers assume a more aerodynamic position. If you aren't a racer -- and your bike indicates you aren't -- then the accepted wisdom of the racing fitters is not for you.

Comfort is the first priority.

I hope the Bike Fit page at VeloWeb might guide you in some of your more specific questions regarding saddle height, etc.

Cheers.

 

[swee'pea99]

"We've found that most riders are most comfortable when the handlebar is a few centimeters higher than the saddle."

I'm really surprised by this. I've always taken it as read that the handlebars should be something like 1"-2" lower than the saddle. I thought that was a given. Certainly it's the way I've always had my bikes set up.

 

[Weegie]

...I have adjusted the saddle height so my leg is in the correct position when I pedal...!

It might be worth double-checking that saddle height. From your picture, it does look quite low. (Can your feet touch the ground while you're seated? I believe that is normally impossible on a hybrid with correct saddle height)

I found this page very helpful for adjusting saddle height...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html (scroll down to "Adjustment").

I too was convinced my saddle height was correct, but it was far too low. Once adjusted according to Sheldon's advice, I found the bike far more comfortable, and I could pedal much more efficiently.

 

[Globalti]

Wilko, where are you in Wilts? My family live in Salisbury and Downton.

That's a nice looking bike. Your stem is quite upright and short so once you'd got your saddle height sorted you could always fit a flatter, longer stem, which would put you in a more aerodynamic position. It would certainly make you faster.

 

[Speck]

hi Wilco,
I have a 2006 Sirrus, size 54 and I am 5' - 8" tall, I use clipless pedals and I have to get off the seat to touch the floor. I realise your bike is a later model but the geometry won't be that different. I notice you have quite a few spacers under the stem. Photo of my Sirrus attached.

John


View attachment 4979

 

[GrasB]

If you've got the saddle in the right place for your legs then everything is fine. I have 3 bikes on all of them the saddle to bottom bracket position is identical yet none of them share the same 'bar placement despite having exactly the same 'bars & brake levers on all 3. FYI the setup are so:
* Road fixie - shortest reach with lowest 'bar position & the main contact points are rotated forward to drop my torso even more.
* Road geared - Longest reach & higher bars than the fixie but not much, contact points are raised up to give a less prone torso position than the fixie but not a sit-up & beg
* MTB - slightly longer reach than the fixie but bars a lot higher to give a much more upright riding position.

 

[g00se]

With regard to the relative heights of the saddle and the bars, as most bars heights are generally fixed, whether the saddle is higher or lower is really a matter of how long your legs are and the general geometry of the frame: You get your saddle height right and the bars are where they are. That's why picking the right bike is important as that's part of the equation.

Now, you can fiddle with bar height a bit by moving spacers etc but first, get the saddle height right and see how it goes from there. the Sheldon Brown technique is as good as any and makes more sense. You probably find out you'll end up with the saddle higher than you expect. You'll find you can cycle with less effort and it'll be kinder on your knees - though you may find it less relaxing if it throws you more onto your bars - but that's really down to the geometry of the bike.