Seat Height and Knee Pain
05-15-13, 11:31 AM
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Seat Height and Knee Pain
After looking through a few different links about seat height adjustment, I realized that I had been riding with mine adjusted to high. As far as I can tell I have always done this because it did not cause any knee pain. I adjusted things to where they are recommended to be and now my knees hurt after just a little while on the bike. I have a 31" inseam and by all the calculations my seat height should be around 69.5cm from the center of the BB. I have it at 72 right now and it just feels weird. Am i just not used to it enough to be comfortable yet?
05-15-13, 11:35 AM
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Fit is a personal thing and differs for everyone. Why fix what isn't broken? Raise the seat back up.
05-15-13, 11:40 AM
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Put it as high as you need.
I seem to have a range of 2 inches up or down with no problems.
With it too high you will quickly get Sharp pains on the underside of the knee.
I seem to have a range of 2 inches up or down with no problems.
With it too high you will quickly get Sharp pains on the underside of the knee.
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05-15-13, 12:13 PM
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Yup--no one can give you a precise number that will work, unless they're right there with you, at a fitting. The number is the one that works FOR YOU. Sure, some can point out some obviously wrong adjustments (if your hips are rocking badly, for example, or if your knees are way too bent at the bottom of the stroke), but the idea of a base number from the bottom bracket to the seat is an estimate at best--that doesn't even factor in your crank arm length. So raise the seat to where you are comfortable at--and knee pain trumps any other consideration at this point, IMO.
05-15-13, 01:30 PM
#5
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As already stated, mathematical formulas are just a means of approximately a starting point. Things that will effect your optimum seat height include: crank length, pedal type and stack height, femur and tib/fib length, shoe size, cleat position, cadence preference, effective seat tube angle, etc.
Depending on how much you cycle and how conditioned you are to your current position it would not be at all surprising if adjusts to saddle position resulted in short term knee discomfort. I've experienced soreness with as little as a 5mm fore/aft adjustment. But, that subsided within a fortnight.
The quick test for whether your saddle is too high, is whether your hips rock side to side as you pedal. If not, chances are you're in the ball park.
Depending on how much you cycle and how conditioned you are to your current position it would not be at all surprising if adjusts to saddle position resulted in short term knee discomfort. I've experienced soreness with as little as a 5mm fore/aft adjustment. But, that subsided within a fortnight.
The quick test for whether your saddle is too high, is whether your hips rock side to side as you pedal. If not, chances are you're in the ball park.
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05-15-13, 02:33 PM
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Check front/back seat adj.
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