Cyclocross - Ground Reach

What should touch the ground when I reach my feetsies to the ground? I think my saddle may be too high; though, I am fine on my pedaling (except the seat won't move up far enough >_< wanna buy an FSA Carbon Seat Post?)

I've used the calculator on the ZINN website for along time to set-up bikes. It's easier to do than the Eddie B method and much more accurate than the heel test that a lot of folks use. If I remember right, the formula ZINN uses is something like this:

Get your ideal seat height
Shoes off, feet about 8 inches apart, on a level floor, pull a carpenter's level up into your crotch, it should hurt- make sure you hold it level and it's all the way up.
Have someone measure from the top of the level to the ground in inches. Take the measurement a couple times to make sure it's accurate.
Multiply that number by 2.77 to get your seat height in cm or 1.09 in inches. Err low not high.

You can find his fit calculator on www.zinncycles.com.

I am so confused. Basically, my feet barely touch the ground when I extend the tips of my toes to the ground from my saddle.

Phiber,

That amount of reach is actually pretty normal. The BB height is what drives that- not a lot you can do. If you lower the seat that much, you won't have good leg ergonomics.

Most guys have to lean the bike over if they are straddling the frame to get a foot solidly on the ground. That's pretty normal.

Please do consider taking a look at the zinn site to check size stuff. The way you step off the bike in cross really doesn't require getting your feet on the ground when you're on the saddle.

Are you in the PDX area? I help a lot of my team mates with bike fits.

Hehe, nah. I am in the Houston area. Thanks for the info. :) I do need to do something about the seat, however. It's a WTB Rocket V Gel and the FSA post pops it back almost too far, I think. That, or I need a different stem. Also FSA. *shrugs* It probably is just going to take some getting used to. :)

if its any help i was properly sized on my axis and when seated i can just touch my toes to the ground too. it's no big deal at all and how it should be if your bike is the right size. how much standover do you have?

I have about an inch and a half of stand over. :)

i've got about an onch more than that, but i still think you're about right. i recently did my first race and right before the start i dropped my seat a bit because i thought it would help. just ended up with a sore back and probably lost even more time.