Is my saddle too low?
06-19-12, 12:03 PM
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Is my saddle too low?
Last week I swapped out my fat@$$ Bell saddle with my thinner Specialized saddle that I bought shortly after the bike about 6 years ago. I put the Bell one on there last year due to some soreness I was having with the Specialized, but now I'm starting to like the Specialized one again.
Anyway, I did have to raise the seat post due to the difference in saddle heights. I'm thinking my saddle may be a tad too low but I'm not sure, and I don't have a lot of seat post left. When stopped I can set my toes down on the ground on one side while still on the saddle. If I lean the bike over I can place one foot flat on the ground. Does that mean the saddle is too low?
I guess I may have to look into a longer seat post.
Anyway, I did have to raise the seat post due to the difference in saddle heights. I'm thinking my saddle may be a tad too low but I'm not sure, and I don't have a lot of seat post left. When stopped I can set my toes down on the ground on one side while still on the saddle. If I lean the bike over I can place one foot flat on the ground. Does that mean the saddle is too low?
I guess I may have to look into a longer seat post.
06-19-12, 12:03 PM
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Crap, meant to post in Hybrids, or maybe General. Mods can move please, thx.
06-19-12, 01:07 PM
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The right way to check is to put your heels on the pedals and pedal the bike. If your legs extend all the way without rocking your hips, then you'll have just the right about of bend in your knees when the balls of your feet are on the pedals.
06-19-12, 01:10 PM
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The position of one's feet on the ground while sitting on the saddle has absolutely nothing to do with proper saddle height. Many 'foot-forward' design bikes, like a lot of dutch models, allow one to put both feet flat on the ground while seated on the saddle.
The (most) proper way to find proper seat height is to look at your legs while pedaling. You should be almost able to straighten your leg completely at the maximum pedal distance. If you can completely straighten out your knee, it's too high. If your knees are still very bent, even at maximum extension, then it's too low.
If you're having soreness issues, it's likely due to both of those saddles being padded. Padded saddles tend to cause more soreness because they transfer pressure from your sit-bones (where it should be) to your soft tissues (where it shouldn't). Also, just keep riding. The only real way to fix soreness is to 'toughen up' the parts that are getting sore. Make sure you're riding 2 or 3 days a week minimum and at least an hour or two at a time.
The (most) proper way to find proper seat height is to look at your legs while pedaling. You should be almost able to straighten your leg completely at the maximum pedal distance. If you can completely straighten out your knee, it's too high. If your knees are still very bent, even at maximum extension, then it's too low.
If you're having soreness issues, it's likely due to both of those saddles being padded. Padded saddles tend to cause more soreness because they transfer pressure from your sit-bones (where it should be) to your soft tissues (where it shouldn't). Also, just keep riding. The only real way to fix soreness is to 'toughen up' the parts that are getting sore. Make sure you're riding 2 or 3 days a week minimum and at least an hour or two at a time.
