Training & Nutrition - Just lowered my seat by about a half an inch

Got some mild saddle sore on my left thigh . Just went out for a test ride . Seemed like I had a little more power . Anyone have any comment on the extra power ?
jarhead#42

I don't know, anything that makes you more efficient will give you more power. I just fiddled with my seat and moved it just a little bit and it's an amazing difference.

that is possible. sometimes moving the saddle up or back is a nice change.

Went on a 30 miler this morning . Im gonna move the seat up a notch and lower my handle bars . The seat being lowered relieved some of the saddle sour symptoms , But I spent more energy . So , Im moving it up a little , gonna do a 20 mile test ride in a couple in of minutes
jarhead#42

I'm just starting out, and it seems like each time I go out for a ride, I move the seat up just a tad more. It seems like I should move it up so far that I just fall short of touching the peddle in its down position, and then drop the seat hight a teeny bit. The higher the seat, the better, isn't it?

My experiment says so . I had so much more energy when I notched it up . I was really cruising . When I had the seat down , I was working man . I like the way I have it set up now . I really can cruise . I guess its best to experiment . Youll know when its right .
peace
jarhead#42

Higher is usually better as long as your hips(really your lower spine) don't rock back and forth at all and your heel should be able to be level or slightly lower than your toes at the bottom of the stroke to prevent the need for ankling. Ankling is having heel low at the top of the stroke and high at the bottom, usually caused by plain bad form or cranks that are to long, and is considered bad, I don't recall why, knee problems or something. All of these adjustment require test rides as its difficult at best to get in position while stopped, even with a helper holding the bike.
At a cadence of 90 thats 5,400 left and 5,400 right spine bends an hour--ouch, hip rock bad.

Man when you think about it in terms of numbers like that, the human body is one mean machine.

WOW, to lower the seat 1/2 inch is a lot! you should have someone look at your position and fit, perhaps your lbs.save your knees and your manhood.

I agree with pacesetter. I move mine 2-3 mm and I can tell. FYI, 25.4mm to an inch

Man when you think about it in terms of numbers like that, the human body is one mean machine.
My point was to avoid numbers like that as it will cause lower back pain.

I crank pretty hard uphill when I'm in the saddle and I get this "bouncing up and down" feeling at my butt, should I move my seat up? Thanks

Sometimes changing your saddle position (up or down) can make you feel stronger for a ride or two simply because you're using different muscles and/or using muscles differently. So, to really get a feel for a power difference it takes a few rides, in my opinion.

In general, I get the best results from a saddle high enough that I can get good leg extension and can push from the hips (so to speak) and use front and back thigh muscles when dieseling along on flats and moderate climbs with my nose in the wind, but not so high that I can't spin smoothly. When raising and lowering the saddle, I often need to tweak the the tilt (nose up/down) just a little, to improve comfort and prevent saddle sores.

Matt: any idea what cadence you're turning when you get the butt bounce?

Man when you think about it in terms of numbers like that, the human body is one mean machine.


I watched an open heart surgery once and was awed by the sheer life force of it all . . .

It's only when my cadence gets to be around 80 that my butt bounces

It's only when my cadence gets to be around 80 that my butt bounces
Well, then, cadence sure isn't the cause. Sounds like you're trying to continue pushing after your pedal has bottomed out, which will tire your legs accomplishing nothing. Raising the saddle will probably help, but also be attentive to what you're doing at the bottom of pedal stroke. Your foot needs to start back at the same time the pedal does. It sounds like really stoopid advice, but it's easy to slip into. It's just the hill-climbing version of pedalling in circles.

Got some mild saddle sore on my left thigh . Just went out for a test ride . Seemed like I had a little more power . Anyone have any comment on the extra power ?
jarhead#42

I raised my seat by an inch and my average speed went up by 2mph! Less effort pedalling.