Recumbent - Seat position on Rans Stratus LWB recumbent

Hi there, guys--

I ride a Rans Stratus, and like a fool I messed around with the seat position that had been perfect for about 2000 miles. Now I can't seem to find exactly where I left it. Could someone quickly fill me in on how I go about getting the correct seat position back? I know it's ridiculous, and I know I screwed up :D. Thanks so much, guys.

Generally, your leg should be about straight with the heel on the pedal and a little bent with the ball of your foot on the pedal. The more reclined your seat back is, the longer the effective distance from the seat to the pedal.

I have a RANS Stratus. Do what JanMM says and then if it doesn't feel right, just tweak it a bit. It isn't any different than adjusting for an upright bike, except for how you move the seat.

http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-seat/

I've found that it has to be in exactly the right spot to work for me. If I'm off by 1/10th of an inch, I can tell.

You have to look at the total position, and what you want to achieve. I too have a RANS Stratus, and have rode it for 2 years now. The basic position is the fore and aft position. Easiest way to set it is to put your heel on the pedal axle and have your leg almost straight out. Then with the ball on the pedal, there should be some bend to your knee. Then you have the seat recline, and handle bar position. I set the recline so as to have two things come together. One---have a comfortable recline so my head is in a comfortable position. Two---have my arm almost straight to lessen wind drag. This also puts the handle bar tube almost straight with the angle of the head tube. This lessens tiller effect in steering.

Since these adjustment are easy to make just keep tinkering till you find your sweet spot. BTW I use the little clamp block on the seat rail to keep the seat from slipping. Works great.



T

I'm about to replace my stock crankset that has 175mm crank arms with a set that has 165mm cranks. I've found there is no perfect seat position on my Stratus with 175mm cranks. If I set it up so that my leg is most comfortable at the full extension position, then my knees bend too far on the backstroke, causing some knee pain with extended riding. If I set it up so that I'm comfortable on the backstroke, then I have to extend too far and lose power and cadence.

If the 165mm cranks don't work, then I'll send the stock crankset off to have it redrilled to 152mm cranks.

Thanks so much, guys! I'll let you know how it goes.

. . . .I've found that it has to be in exactly the right spot to work for me. If I'm off by 1/10th of an inch, I can tell.

+1 though my tolerance might be a mm or two greater. Like Tom, I'm wondering if the time may be coming for shorter cranks.

I've found that it has to be in exactly the right spot to work for me. If I'm off by 1/10th of an inch, I can tell.

Here, here. I've been riding a Bacchetta Giro 20 for two years now, and I just figured out how to adjust the seat last weekend. The bike was never comfortable and I didn't have the power I do on my DFs. The front end of the seat went up about a finger's width and that has made all the difference in the world. I think it needs a little more adjustment, but for the first time, I'm really liking the bike.

I'm about to replace my stock crankset that has 175mm crank arms with a set that has 165mm cranks. I've found there is no perfect seat position on my Stratus with 175mm cranks. If I set it up so that my leg is most comfortable at the full extension position, then my knees bend too far on the backstroke, causing some knee pain with extended riding. If I set it up so that I'm comfortable on the backstroke, then I have to extend too far and lose power and cadence.

If the 165mm cranks don't work, then I'll send the stock crankset off to have it redrilled to 152mm cranks.

I changed my original 175 Shimano to Sugino XD600 165 26/36/46 on my 00 Stratus. What a tremendous difference. I tried shorter 155 but I found them too short. I love my Sugino crank and put it on my 20 inch Trike as well. 165 is my magic number and the low gear inches are great for climbing. I don't care if I spin out above 20mph. As far as the seat goes you have to play around with the recline. I liked my seat fairly reclined on my Stratus and when I changed over cranks after 5K mi it took some time to get the sweet spot back. I am very sorry I sold that bike after 20K mi and hope to buy a SXP this yr if things work out.
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