Setting saddle height against leg length

[Zippy]

If I set my saddle height to the point where my leg is comfortably straight on the down stroke so my thighs get to rest on each revolution I find I cannot easily reach the road with my toes when the bike is stationary (with my backside still on the saddle for balance).

Is this normal? Do folks dismount from their saddle on stopping and sit back in on pushing on? I'm happy to do this but usually like my backside in the seat so I can get a lead on the traffic without wobbling at all.

 

[tyred]

This is normal, I'm afraid. It's especially true of more modern frames. On my old bikes, I can just about put a toe down to stay upright. On my mtb and Peugeot, it is impossible so have to step off the saddle.

 

[Chrisc]

Yep, I can just stretch a toe down but only just. Off the saddle at a stop most of the time.

 

[mcshroom]

I think its normal

 

[Davidc]

I keep the saddle on my town bike (mtb) down so I can put a foot down when I stop, but it's lower than ideal for pedalling. On the tourer the saddle's set for pedalling so my legs are more or less straight at the bottom of the stroke. Have to get off the saddle when I stop though.

When I only had one bike I put some marks on the seat post so I could change it easily from town mode to country mode. OK unless I forgot that it was up.

 

[Freddie]

As a child they would make you demonstrate you could do such way back, but usually results in too low a saddle height, only a little less to do with fit than stand over height.

 

[Garz]

Glad im not the only one thinking this. Can just about tip-toe on one leg on saddle but generally sit forward and stand if at lights etc.

 

[fossyant]

Search for correct saddle height..it's a slight heal contact (no shoes) on the axel with the crank at the lowest position....that's a start.........

 

[Ian H]

Your leg shouldn't quite straighten when pedalling. Nearly, but not quite. But yes, on most hybrids and mtbs you'll find it difficult to reach the ground from the saddle.

 

[jimboalee]

http://bikedynamics.co.uk/guidelines.htmhttp://bikedynamics.co.uk/guidelines.htmhttp://bikedynamics.co.uk/guidelines.htm

This will explain all.

 

[g00se]

More details here and an explanation why lots of folks have the saddles too low:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html#adjustment

And how it effects starting and stopping:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/starting.html#

 

[jimboalee]

I use the same method as Randchap's Veloweb advice.

It's Inseam x 0.883

This, to quote Ray is 'a good starting point'.

From here, pains in the front of the knee will require the saddle moving up 3mm, and pains in the rear of the knee or the crotch, moving the saddle down 3mm.

I was lucky because the pains were in the centre of the knee, so had the saddle OK from the start..B)

Mind you, I measure my Inseam by a different method to Ray which gives less experimantal variation.

 

[PK99]

If I set my saddle height to the point where my leg is comfortably straight on the down stroke so my thighs get to rest on each revolution I find I cannot easily reach the road with my toes when the bike is stationary (with my backside still on the saddle for balance).

l.

As I read that - you seat is too high. thre should be approx 30% (IIRC) bend at the bottom of the stroke.

 

[Shortcranks]

Hi

You might want to have alook at this vid
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guk7Q0QslOU
about where your knees and ankles should be.

Shortcranks

 

[Debian]

As I read that - you seat is too high. thre should be approx 30% (IIRC) bend at the bottom of the stroke.

That sounds a lot?

I've always worked on the basis of leg straight when sat on the saddle with the heel on the low pedal. This gives a slight bend of the knee when the ball of the foot is on the low pedal but nowhere near 30%, maybe 5 - 10 deg.