seat height

[mark1974]

well to throw a spanner in the works my seat can move slightly backwards and forwards so how do you guys get the right posistion for this?

 

[MattHB]

well to throw a spanner in the works my seat can move slightly backwards and forwards so how do you guys get the right posistion for this?

take a plumb line and while your foot is on the pedal, with the pedal at 3 o'clock, place the line on the front of your knee (some say the knobbly bone on the side). the line should go through the centre of the pedal spindle. Adjust the seat accordingly.

like this

 

[mark1974]

very minimal adjustments on the seat really make such a difference?

 

[Biker Joe]

Put your pedal cranks in the horizontal position. Put your foot on the pedal with the ball of your foot over the pedal spindle.
The knob of bone just below the knee cap should be directly over the pedal spindle.
You can use a plumb line held on that bone if you want to be accurate.
Adjust the forward and back position of the saddle by sliding it along the saddle rails.
Set your saddle, tighten up the clamps and go for a ride and see if this suitable.
This is the initial set up.
You may like to try having the knee a little in front of the spindle if this is more comfortable.
Hope this helps.

 

[mark1974]

yeah all advice helps it is appreciated shall i start a new thread on handlebar height now haha

 

[Hacienda71]

Anecdotal story.
I changed my saddle recently from a Charge Spoon to a Fizik Arione. Went out for a ride with a few of the guys off here last Sunday and found after about 60 miles although the saddle was comfy my right knee was pretty painful, I don't normally suffer from painful knees.
When I got in from the ride I parked my bike next to my other road bike and noticed that the saddle was about 10mm lower. I raised the saddle and went out for a blast New Years Day. Not even a hint of pain in the knee. So even 1 cm on saddle height can make a difference when setting up your bike. Also if you make any changes to your bike check you haven't altered the setup.

 

[MattHB]

very minimal adjustments on the seat really make such a difference?

yeah its quite amazing. I had my saddle slightly out on my commuter and it made a huge difference. Dont forget that when you raise your saddle youre effectively sliding it backwards as well (because of the angle of the seat post tube), so you need to recheck that measurement at the same time.

 

[malcermie]

How do you all sit on your saddle? Towards the front, back or in the middle

 

[MattHB]

How do you all sit on your saddle? Towards the front, back or in the middle

depends on what Im doing... flat out on the drops at the front of a group I tend to sit forwards, up hills on the bar-tops Ill sit back.

 

[mark1974]

nice one malcermie i wanted to ask exactly that question was afraid it sounded bit silly

 

[Biker Joe]

According to the experts, the handlebars should be higher than the top of the front wheel but not so high that you have to reach up to them.

 

[tyred]

Generally speaking the recommended position of the bars ranges from one inch below the saddle to one inch above the saddle depending on personal preference and intended use for the bike. Lower will be more aero but less comfortable for most people.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Sometime ago I read somewhere that you could check your correct saddle height by simply reaching down over the bike. Facing forward, with the saddle in your armpit the tip of your middle finger should just reach the centre-line of the crankset. Whenever I mention this I am loudly 'poo-pooed' by all, but it works for me .
(I suspect that it works is coincidental, but it is a really 'handy' way of setting the saddle height on a spinning bike, for example)

 

[tyred]

Sometime ago I read somewhere that you could check your correct saddle height by simply reaching down over the bike. Facing forward, with the saddle in your armpit the tip of your middle finger should just reach the centre-line of the crankset. Whenever I mention this I am loudly 'poo-pooed' by all, but it works for me .
(I suspect that it works is coincidental, but it is a really 'handy' way of setting the saddle height on a spinning bike, for example)

I've read that too and it is surprisingly close to my normal height.

 

[Rob3rt]

How do you all sit on your saddle? Towards the front, back or in the middle

However is most comfortable/tolerable at that moment in time.