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View Full Version : Seat to pedal distance... help!

princemyheart
10-30-05, 03:52 PM
Hi. Dad and daughter in Australia. We are about to embark on the Great Victorian Bike Ride. 600k over 9 days. We've done it 8 years on standard bikes and have just bought a second hand tandem recumbent trike. Did a 60k ride this weekend.... phew.. different muscles! Essential information needed: How do we determine the distance to set the pedals at? I can see us beside the road making adjustments, and that involves breaking the chains each time! Thanks Royce www.funshow.com.au
Ric
10-30-05, 04:30 PM
What type of tandem did you buy? We have a GreenSpeed GTT2s. Maybe I could help if I know what you have.
BlazingPedals
10-30-05, 05:19 PM
Regardless of upright or recumbent, you want the leg extension about the same - almost straight at the dead point at the 'bottom' of the pedal stroke. For a bent that means when the pedal is straight out in front. With a bent, there's bit more fiddling involved, because sitting in the seat a little different might change the distance to the pedals, so it's more like setting it for an average distance based on several rides. Same rules apply WRT not moving the hips to reach the pedals. I've found that too much extension can lead to tender Achilles tendons or sore hip flexors, while too little can cause hot feet.
Osco
10-31-05, 09:28 AM
Pedal at Max Extension Riders heel in riding shoe Just touching pedal try it GO BENTS!!!
Dchiefransom
10-31-05, 05:23 PM
Most sites recommend a 10-15 degree bend in the leg at full pedal extension. This really isn't much. Try marking it out on a piece of cardboard and having a friend eyeball it from the side. Do a few test rides and see hos it feels.
ronsmithjunior
11-01-05, 11:16 PM
To get you in the ball park adjust the seat so the heel of your foot just reaches the pedal. When you put your foot on the pedal the normal way you will about the right amount of leg angle. Fine tune the adjustment from there. This also works for me on a road bike.
ppc
11-03-05, 01:32 PM
Most sites recommend a 10-15 degree bend in the leg at full pedal extension. This really isn't much. Try marking it out on a piece of cardboard and having a friend eyeball it from the side. Do a few test rides and see hos it feels.

Yes, and also, if you start feeling a full pain under the kneecap after a while, your extension might not be enough. Knee pains are quicker to come on a bent than on an upright in my experience. Pay attention to them and take the time to adjust your seat/pedals distance very carefully. If you keep getting knee pains, consider smaller cranks also.
jeff-o
11-03-05, 03:05 PM
Do you use clipless pedals? Most riders find that moving the clip closer to the heel helps minimize numbness and hotfoot... be sure to account for this when you adjust the pedal distance (not that it will have too much effect, but still...)