Just learned a hard lesson about bike fit.

[zpl]

So my Terry Fly saddle has developed a creaking/ticking noise problem after a few hundred miles. I've tried greasing the saddle rails and using tri-flow on the parts where the rails stick into the saddle itself, and have had limited luck eliminating the sounds.

My saddle is all the way back on its rails, and technically should even be back a bit farther. But just for kicks I decided to try centering it on its rails. Suddenly I could no longer make it creak! I rode it like this for a few minutes on my trainer at low resistance and thought it felt fine. Using a plumb line, the front of my knee was then at least a couple of inches in front of my pedal spindle when my crankarms are at 3 o'clock/9'oclock.

This morning I rode my 23-mile commute into work, and I could immediately tell that this was not the proper saddle position. My knees especially felt stressed on climbs, and I told myself that I was going to move the saddle back as soon as I got into work. I wasn't riding hard, but by the time I arrived at work I had a bit of lower back pain too.

Somehow over the course of the day that lower back pain moved up my back and is now severe enough that I know I can't ride home, even with my saddle back into its previous position. Stretching and advil aren't helping much. So I'm hitching a ride home with a co-worker this evening.

Lesson learned: bike fit is nothing to take lightly. I should have readjusted my seat immediately when I could start feeling stress/pain.

Scott

[geraldatwork]

If I am understanding you correctly the reach it too long and you put the seat all of the way back to make it closer. If this is the case get a shorter stem by 1 or 2 cm. Shouldn't be a problem. The stem is usually the part that fine tunes a fit.

[zpl]

My saddle was originally as far back as it could go in the rails, stretching me out as much as possible, and by moving it forward I ended up with problems. I must have a long torso.

[UniversalFrost]

I noticed that you have an allez, I have one as well and the Allez models seem to be built for those of us with longer trunks. You should be able to get a longer stem them or have them flip (lower) the stem and raise the seat so it lengthens the distance between the two point and puts you in a more aggressive posture. You may have purchased a frame that is too small for you as well.

Also, why did you switch from the factory Alias saddle? They work great for most and you can get them in different sizes depending on how big your rear end is.

JOE

[v1k1ng1001]

Yeah, you may want to buy a new frame or simply upgrade.

[zpl]

I noticed that you have an allez, I have one as well and the Allez models seem to be built for those of us with longer trunks. You should be able to get a longer stem them or have them flip (lower) the stem and raise the seat so it lengthens the distance between the two point and puts you in a more aggressive posture. You may have purchased a frame that is too small for you as well.

Also, why did you switch from the factory Alias saddle? They work great for most and you can get them in different sizes depending on how big your rear end is.

JOE

I've actually put over 2200 miles on this bike before this problem crept up on me. Like I said, I moved my saddle forward, and after my first 1.5h ride with it like that I did some minor injury to my back. So clearly it was the result of my saddle positioning. I've moved it back where it belongs and wanted to share the lesson learned.

The stock saddle was okay and I did my first century on it last September. On long (60+ mile) rides I tend to find saddle comfort is my biggest complaint, so I thought I'd get a new saddle to improve things. So far I really like the Terry Fly and feel it is more comfortable than the Alias, but not perfect. This ticking noise is going to drive me nuts if I can't resolve it, though. :twitchy:

[fc_]

You might want to look into a seatpost with more setback. This would allow you to move your saddle forward and keep your knee to pedal spindle positioning the same. I know thompson makes one that gives about 5/8" setback.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/50-0793-BLK-SIDE.jpg