Seat height.

[willhub]

Hi.

Is it true that when on the bike, with the cranks at the bottom of the stroke, you should be able to touch the pedals with your heal and still have abit of bend in the legs?

Now I had it at a height where my heal was 3" off the pedals, but if I lower the seat I'm so sure it feels awful and that I cant get as much power in and that it could be doing my knees bad at this height.

Any ideas?


Thanks
will.

 

[Will1985]

You mean you have been pedalling toes down all the time?

The heel on the pedal measurement is widely accepted to be the easiest to do. I've seen plenty of LBSs doing it to potential customers test riding bikes.

Can't say anything for the knees, but I'd imagine your calves get too much of a workout from that motion. If you want more power, sit further back on the saddle.

 

[willhub]

I put it down to the height so my heal was on the pedal but it felt so low.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Your leg should be straight with your heel on the pedal, and the pedal in line with the seat tube.. But be aware that that is the starting point, and yopur best (most comfy) position could be a few millimetres either side.

 

[willhub]

That's how it looks at the moment, felt comfy I always thought it was ok, guess not.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Willhub - have a read through http://www.chiropracticperformancecentre.ca/Handouts/Lifestyle/Road Bicycle Fit.pdf
See how the .883 x inside leg cm. (sole of foot to crotch) = centre of crank-axle to top of saddle compares with your current set up. Check out the other information re. saddle position, reach etc too.

 

[willhub]

Well I dont have anything to measure apart from a paper 12" ruler, I estimated 36" which is 91.4cm, probably about 2 or 3 cm longer than that, then x 0.883 = 80.7062

32.8" I measure from center of crank axel to top of saddle which is 83.3cm


Obviously not 100% accurate but it's close.

 

[youngoldbloke]

The way to measure your inside leg is to use a large book, the top edge held firmly against a wall, and with the spine of the book jammed firmly up between the legs. Then you can mark the wall and measure accurately - even with a paper 12" ruler! (Remember this is just a starting point for sorting a good position).

 

[Fab Foodie]

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

 

[willhub]

35.1 is my inside leg * 0.883 = 78.7636

And my current setup is around 83cm



Going to surosa cycles tomorrow.

 

[Mr Pig]

But be aware that that is the starting poin

Yes. I personally like the seat slightly higher than this 'standard' position. It just takes time to find the right position for you. If you feel comfortable and nothing starts hurting it's probably ok.

 

[willhub]

Most likely I'll want it slightly higher, going to take some getting used to if it has to go down by about 5cm, will need to remove the 3 spacers which will lower my handlebars by about an inch.

 

[jimboalee]

The way to measure your inside leg is to use a large book, the top edge held firmly against a wall, and with the spine of the book jammed firmly up between the legs. Then you can mark the wall and measure accurately - even with a paper 12" ruler! (Remember this is just a starting point for sorting a good position).

THE way to measure your "inside leg" is to measure your height, and then subtract your 'seated height'.

If you are confused by this, your seated height is the distance from the floor to the top of your head when you are seated against the wall with both your legs outstretched infront of you.

Medical and anthropological statasticians call this the SHR, or Sitting Height Ratio.
Average for a Caucasian male is 52.5% Seated to Standing.
I am 173 cm tall and Seated height is 89 cm, giving SHR of 51.5% - so I'm a bit of a 'stumpy'.

You could go for an X-ray and get a true measurement of hip height.

 

[Mr Pig]

You could go for an X-ray and get a true measurement of hip height.

Are you joking? I assumed you were, but the tone of the rest of your post suggests you might not be.

 

[jimboalee]

Are you joking? I assumed you were, but the tone of the rest of your post suggests you might not be.

Not joking.

Common practice in Orthopedics to quantify LLD - Leg Length Discrepancy.

My left is 12 mm longer than right. From repeatedly falling off a skateboard when I was in my teens.