General Cycling Discussion - Seat Post Height?

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wasabiboys
06-13-05, 06:00 PM
Yeah I was thinking about this one this morning. Why is it that I see so many people with the seat of their bike jacked up so high in the air. This people are no taller than I am (6'0). If asked they will say " I want the most push out of my pedal. I always thought for the longest time that one wants their legs to be slightly bent and if they are staright its to high. Any thoughts?

twahl
06-13-05, 06:23 PM
You got the right idea, you want your leg to be slightly bent at the bottom of the stroke. There could be differences in frame geometry and crank length that might explain a higher seat position, or they could just be ignorant.
roadfix
06-13-05, 06:23 PM
Perhaps these people you see have their seat height adjusted correctly and they're riding compact frames. Maybe that may seem a bit abnormal to you.

pedex
06-13-05, 06:25 PM
Sit on saddle, run heel of foot over pedal at bottom position of crank, if you can just barely scrape your heel across the pedal your at a good starting point for saddle height.
EXCALIBUR
06-13-05, 06:26 PM
Seatpost height is more related to inseam length rather than the overall height of the cyclist. The optimal seatpost height has your knee slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke. On the contrary, I tend to see too many cyclists riding too large bicycle frames with the seatpost smashed all the way down, and pedalling away on the arches of their feet.
pedex
06-13-05, 06:27 PM
You got the right idea, you want your leg to be slightly bent at the bottom of the stroke. There could be differences in frame geometry and crank length that might explain a higher seat position, or they could just be ignorant.

Ignorant would be accurate more than likely.I see it all the time, I even know a few that ride for a living with saddles about an inch or more too high.If you have to point your toes at the bottom of the stroke I guarantee you will have extra pains somewhere after a long ride because of it.
wasabiboys
06-13-05, 08:22 PM
Ignorant would be accurate more than likely.I see it all the time, I even know a few that ride for a living with saddles about an inch or more too high.If you have to point your toes at the bottom of the stroke I guarantee you will have extra pains somewhere after a long ride because of it.

Yeah you are totally right. I cannot see jacking the seat so much. the bike has to fit you and you cannot compensate for a small frame with a huge post.