Duh! Saddle height
07-09-08, 11:32 PM
#1
Veteran, Pacifist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,327
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3897 Post(s)
Liked 4,829 Times
in
2,228 Posts
Duh! Saddle height
Just a note on the importance of getting saddle height perfectly dialed in.
I haven't been riding much this summer (new city, new house, tough at work, etc) so in the last 3 weeks with the drier weather in the PNW I start riding my 2 older road bikes. Something wasn't quite right, I didn't attribute it to my riding position but to a lack of fitness. Developed soreness on the front of my right kneecap after a few miles of riding at a moderate pace - nothing serious, but definately worrisome. Did I strain it with all the moving?
To make a long story short, I hopped on one of my newer road bikes this afternoon and went for a 20 mi ride - no knee pain at all. Tonight I found out that my son had lowered the saddle for his own comfort on the older bikes - "...only a few mm, Dad, I swear - it shouldn't make any difference".
Well only a few millimeters of saddle height adjustment can make a big difference. Thought I'd share.
I haven't been riding much this summer (new city, new house, tough at work, etc) so in the last 3 weeks with the drier weather in the PNW I start riding my 2 older road bikes. Something wasn't quite right, I didn't attribute it to my riding position but to a lack of fitness. Developed soreness on the front of my right kneecap after a few miles of riding at a moderate pace - nothing serious, but definately worrisome. Did I strain it with all the moving?
To make a long story short, I hopped on one of my newer road bikes this afternoon and went for a 20 mi ride - no knee pain at all. Tonight I found out that my son had lowered the saddle for his own comfort on the older bikes - "...only a few mm, Dad, I swear - it shouldn't make any difference".
Well only a few millimeters of saddle height adjustment can make a big difference. Thought I'd share.
07-10-08, 12:41 AM
#2
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 43
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
an old trick I recall from earlier riding days:
mark your saddle post with a waterproof marker. instant, easy identifier for whenever you remove / replace your seat (or the kid borrows the bike)
mark your saddle post with a waterproof marker. instant, easy identifier for whenever you remove / replace your seat (or the kid borrows the bike)
07-10-08, 06:38 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
I measure from the top of the saddle to the top of the bottom pedal in line with the seat tube. For me that's exactly 36". That way I can quickly adjust any bike that I want to ride.
07-10-08, 06:41 AM
#4
el padre
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: South East Kansas
Posts: 1,490
Bikes: Rans Stratus, ICE TRike, other assorted
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use a similar measurement when I am making my homebuilt recumbents...from the back of the seat to where I need to plan on installing the pedals.
07-10-08, 02:40 PM
#5
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Did a ride earlier in the year after changing cranks on the TCR. It came with a standard crank 172.5. before it left the shop-I changed it to a compact in 165 and kept the standard crank. Just to see what they were like- I put the standard crankset on. Adjusted the front derailler and chain length and went out for a twenty mile ride. Did a lot of riding the hills out of the saddle as when I put pressure in- the Butt got a twinge and the thighs hurt. So the standard crank was not for me.
Except- I had not adjusted for the different crank length The saddle was just a bit too high---7,5mm to be exact. Readjusted saddle height and my first thought was correct. The standard crank is not for me.
Except- I had not adjusted for the different crank length The saddle was just a bit too high---7,5mm to be exact. Readjusted saddle height and my first thought was correct. The standard crank is not for me.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
07-10-08, 03:08 PM
#6
Really Old Senior Member
I changed to 10MM shorter cranks a few weeks ago, so I went out for a flat 10 mile "test drive".
I expected them to "feel different", but I was about 3 miles into it before I remembered I'd forgot to raise the seat. Sure wish I headed straight home and adjusted the seat, instead of finishing the ride! Mr. Knee was sore for a couple days.
I expected them to "feel different", but I was about 3 miles into it before I remembered I'd forgot to raise the seat. Sure wish I headed straight home and adjusted the seat, instead of finishing the ride! Mr. Knee was sore for a couple days.
