1.5 CM Makes a Difference
06-04-05, 07:33 PM
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1.5 CM Makes a Difference
OK - I've been reading all about proper bike fit and set-up and where your knee should be in relation to bb and pedals and such. I concluded my seat was about 2 cm too far forward. I moved it back about 1.5 cm.
The result: my legs felt comfortable and I felt I could push a little harder through more of the spin cycle - but there was a lot more effort needed to steer the bike. I could feel more of a stretch in my lower back. After 25 miles I could really feel the difference. I had more power but I used up a lot of extra energy on the bars - it was harder to relax my upper body.
Knowing a little about anatomy, my hypothesis is that for an average rider or early in the season (first 1000 miles or so) your abs and lower back muscles are not quite at same fitness level as legs, hence more dependence on arms for support. Moving back even only 1.5cm stretched me out just enough where my abs and lower back could not quite hold me up well, hence I used more energy and felt fatigue in lower back, shoulders, and arms.
It might be wise for new riders or average cyclist with weak abs (not doing enough sit-ups!!!!!) to maybe move their seats a little forward to take some of the stress off their arms and shoulders, allowing them to relax more in steering and cause less uppper body and lower back fatigue????
Whatdayathink******************************
The result: my legs felt comfortable and I felt I could push a little harder through more of the spin cycle - but there was a lot more effort needed to steer the bike. I could feel more of a stretch in my lower back. After 25 miles I could really feel the difference. I had more power but I used up a lot of extra energy on the bars - it was harder to relax my upper body.
Knowing a little about anatomy, my hypothesis is that for an average rider or early in the season (first 1000 miles or so) your abs and lower back muscles are not quite at same fitness level as legs, hence more dependence on arms for support. Moving back even only 1.5cm stretched me out just enough where my abs and lower back could not quite hold me up well, hence I used more energy and felt fatigue in lower back, shoulders, and arms.
It might be wise for new riders or average cyclist with weak abs (not doing enough sit-ups!!!!!) to maybe move their seats a little forward to take some of the stress off their arms and shoulders, allowing them to relax more in steering and cause less uppper body and lower back fatigue????
Whatdayathink******************************
06-04-05, 07:45 PM
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Since you moved your saddle back 2 cm to compensate for fore-aft position, in all likelihood, your stem should be shorter by 2 cm. Talk to your LBS guy and he will maybe say the same thing. This might help your back.
I sorta agree with your views that for a newbie, it is a new postion to get used to.. But .. lets see...I am a relative newbie <1000 miles... Beyond a point, my neck may stiffen up. I recently adapted a drastic change in position, seat post by a couple of inches, new foreaft etc... I felt mildly strange for a day but I am getting used to it pretty quick... One thing lot of newbies have are locked stiff elbows. Another important thing is to vary it a bit, hand postion, saddle position etc. I also stretch by either getting out of the saddle or leaning below the seat level towards the handlebars..
I sorta agree with your views that for a newbie, it is a new postion to get used to.. But .. lets see...I am a relative newbie <1000 miles... Beyond a point, my neck may stiffen up. I recently adapted a drastic change in position, seat post by a couple of inches, new foreaft etc... I felt mildly strange for a day but I am getting used to it pretty quick... One thing lot of newbies have are locked stiff elbows. Another important thing is to vary it a bit, hand postion, saddle position etc. I also stretch by either getting out of the saddle or leaning below the seat level towards the handlebars..
06-04-05, 07:48 PM
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I think you should strengthen you core and work on flexability and leave the saddle where it is and the bars where they are. After a month or so you will be fitter, stronger, more flexable and able to ride low for hours on end.
