what a difference 2 inches make !

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Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
I believe there was some research done in the seventies at Loughborough University with some racing cyclists of the time to find the optimum saddle height for power delivery. They found the best height to be 109% of inseam measurement (crotch to the ground in bare feet).
 

SpokeyDokey

68, & my GP says I will officially be old at 70!
Moderator
I do when I need to get off and walk or stop longer :smile: I meant when pausing briefly at traffic lights, side roads etc, means I can set off again faster.


Gotcha!

But I couldn't even get my feet onto the floor when stopping if I remain 'in saddle' without tilting over at some crazy unsustainable angle.

I thought if seat height was correct you'd have to get off the seat when stopping. Maybe I am wrong?
 
D

Deleted member 1258

Guest
Yep. Forget all the nonsense about needing to be able to reach the ground when sitting in the saddle. I find you can get so much more power to the pedals when you have the seat at the correct height. Too low and you can feel the muscles just above the knee getting tired and fatigued so much quicker.

The saddle on my best bike is 1 or 2mm under ideal and I can feel it after a ride, I'll get round to tweaking it at some point, I've got the saddle on my fixed right.

Indeed yes - very important.
I saw a lady last week on a very nice upscale Trek with her legs more or less at 45 degrees at full stretch.

There's a fella at work, his knee's are almost round his ears his saddle is that low.
 

Raleigh_Grifter

Active Member
Location
Newcastle
I started a thread a few weeks ago about struggling on hills, and having a pain in my left knee (I'm a newbie of a few weeks). I was basically told I was just unfit.

About a week ago I moved my saddle up half an inch, and it seemed to make a difference. Moved it up another quarter the next night and still comfortable and easier riding. Might move it up again. Don't know why I didn't think of it before!
 
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