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Is my seat too low?

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Old 08-03-08, 08:58 AM
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Is my seat too low?



Was browsing pics from a recent race and I saw this one. Thought to myself "Gee that knee looks awfully bent"
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Old 08-03-08, 09:25 AM
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Don't see a picture.
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Old 08-03-08, 09:56 AM
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it works if you click here

https://lh3.ggpht.com/bdcheung/SJXFjs...8/IMG_2950.JPG
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Old 08-03-08, 10:11 AM
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Can't see it.
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Old 08-03-08, 10:26 AM
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you have to paste it into a new window/tab

positions looks good IMO
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Old 08-03-08, 10:43 AM
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stupid google pics. I'll fix the link when I get home.
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Old 08-03-08, 10:46 AM
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ok pic works now
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Old 08-03-08, 10:57 AM
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If your knees bother you it's too low. If not, it's ok. I noticed the TDF riders all seemed to have about that degree of bend so that seems to suggest it's ok.
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Old 08-03-08, 10:59 AM
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They don't bother me
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Old 08-03-08, 11:08 AM
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I browsed through some random tour images and this is the only one I saw where the rider was positioned like you and maybe he has slightly more extension - it's hard to say. But certainly as I watched the tour I noticed that they all had less extension than I had expected.


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Old 08-03-08, 11:21 AM
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Doesn't look too bad, maybe just a hair low. If it's not bothering you, don't change it IMO.
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Old 08-03-08, 11:26 AM
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Looks good. My knee bend is even a bit more than yours, but I spin, don't mash.

I would say your knee bend is a little straighter than the average TDF rider, but this is just my opinion from watching way too many tour stages and constantly fixating on cadence and knee bend.
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Old 08-03-08, 11:30 AM
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I'm a spinner, too. Self-selected cadence is around 105
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Old 08-03-08, 11:45 AM
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Your leg looks fine to me but someone appears to have stolen all your Zipp decals.
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Old 08-03-08, 01:26 PM
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Looks fine to me. Personally, I'd raise the bars a little to get some bent elbows and horizontal forearms in the drops.
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Old 08-03-08, 01:46 PM
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It looks like you knee and everything are already aligned properly, if it feels good I wouldn't change it.
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Old 08-03-08, 01:50 PM
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you guys are too agreeable. it's too low.
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Old 08-03-08, 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by DannoXYZ
Looks fine to me. Personally, I'd raise the bars a little to get some bent elbows and horizontal forearms in the drops.
well if it wasn't for him looking down I'd say the same thing but from the picture it looks like this is near the end of an event to which he's put pretty much everything he has and his form is suffering a bit. I know I do the same thing when i get really tired and after a couple of hours of bent elbows I just want to straighten them out to give my arm muscles a rest.

knee doesn't look that bad. I'm seeing a lot more riders ride with a bit more bend in the knees.
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Old 08-03-08, 05:01 PM
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recommendation from a respected local fitter is 30 deg bend at the knee, bottom of pedal stroke. hard to tell, but looks like you're in that ball park.

why arent there any other riders around you?
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Old 08-03-08, 05:19 PM
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There are two quick and easy ways that I've dialed in seat height on my bikes;


1.) At the bottom of the pedal stroke, put your heel on the pedal, your leg should be straight
2.) Go to a steep, straight hill and pedal at about 150rpm down the hill, if you're bouncing on the seat, it's too low.
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Old 08-03-08, 05:19 PM
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Too high for my tastes, but bodies adjust to anything. Leave it alone if it works.
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Old 08-03-08, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by CrimsonKarter21
2.) Go to a steep, straight hill and pedal at about 150rpm down the hill, if you're bouncing on the seat, it's too low.
I think you meant it's too high if he's bouncing.
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Old 08-03-08, 05:22 PM
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True, but you'll also bounce if it's too low.
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Old 08-03-08, 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by CrimsonKarter21
True, but you'll also bounce if it's too low.
Never seen that one before, but then most cyclists can't go above 150rpms without bouncing due to inefficient technique, regardless of seat height.
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Old 08-03-08, 06:19 PM
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Originally Posted by bdcheung
Is my seat too low?
Does this saddle make my ass look fat?






(I blame oxygen debt, I thought it was funny)
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