Post42K

This is from a weekly newsletter (roadbikerrider) I receive. The last line really surprised me:

"When your seat is positioned to the proper height and setback, the seat should be level. This can be checked by using a level placed along the entire top of the seat.

Some seats incorporate a curving top surface profile in order to relieve pressure on the perineum that will cause a gap beneath the level. These seats are still designed to be level from the highest point of the nose to the highest point of the rear."

I have a Brooks B-17 and keep the nose level but the rear is higher. I'm always looking for more comfort and wondering if I should try this out. Does anyone ride with the highest points on the nose and rear level?

Thanks!

Granny

I ride with the nose high. Keeps me from feeling like I'm sliding forward.

urbanknight

Try levelling it and moving it a tad forward. It should cause you to sit more on your butt and less on your bits. Mark your saddle with tape before you move it so you can go back if it doesn't work.

the beef

Level or slightly up is good. Not down.

sunofsand

I tip mine down quite a ways. Relieves much pressure and allows me to lean forward much easier. I hate a level seat and cannot ride with a saddle even slightly tilted upwards. I don't mind a bit of extra pressure on the hands.

Psimet2001 

I have always ridden with a saddle level across the high points. So much so that when I got a new saddle recently I became frustrated at how the teeth on the post wouldn't give me the exact position I was looking for. One made my tenders fall asleep. The next made my arms hurt from all of the extra weight on them.

Solution...new seatpost with infinite adjustment. Oh well....now level. Happy happy.

R900

Before my bike fitting my saddle was basically level. The Fitter wanted to move it all the way forward for fit, but I said hey wait a minute that doesn't feel right. So he tilted it down a touch. I haven't changed a thing since.

John

roadwarrior

Everything else being equal...level.

Mariner Fan

I start with a level saddle then tilt the nose slightly down.

smoke

+1

Air

I started riding again after a 6 year hiatus and man my arse hurt on my mtb. I tilted the seat down (little less than an inch) and it made the world of difference.

jfmckenna

I get that same news letter and noticed the same thing. Both my B17 and Swift have the slopping profile and the back is higher than the front but the nose length of the saddle is level. To each there own though and it can't hurt to experiment.

Hawkegirl

Just try some different positions. Move it a little at a time.

Everyone's anatomy is different. I'm not a believer in the "it should be in this position" school. It's generally a good guideline, it's a great place to start, but if it's not working for you, start trying different things (remembering that sometimes a little adjustment goes a long way).

jjmolyet

Ever notice how everything needs adjusting, fitting to conform to the indvidual rider except the seat which must stay perfectly level no matter the rider's level of discomfort, BS do what works for you! I tilt forward and have NO ISSUES BEING IN THE SADDLE 5+ HOURS. No side effects after the ride either!

Blonde Warrior

I got my initial fit last night for my new Trek 1500 and I, too, am having a problem with the saddle tilt. I can understand I might be a bit uncomfortable moving to my first road bike from a hybrid road bike, but it shouldn't downright hurt. My rear is in pretty decent riding shape from 100-150 miles a week.

Tomorrow we are experimenting with a women's saddle and now, thanks to you guys, a different tilt.

BTW do you guys mess around with the seat height once the fitters have set you up? I feel like I am a pinch high because I feel like I am rocking a little when pedaling, putting even more pressure on the flesh and pubic bone. I don't want to antagaonize these guys because they have been wonderful, so I'll just sound stupid to you guys!

Thanks.

jfmckenna

Personally I think bike fits are over rated. You are your own best bike fitter. If you think you are rocking then you probably are and should lower the saddle 1mm or 2mm at a time. Bike fit is important for a foundation, a starting point for you to make your own adjustments. Most of this can be done by your self with a good article or book on fitting imo.

Psimet2001 

Fits done at shops are starting points. Just record what they set it at so that you can come back to it as a baseline. For saddle adjustments take 3 critical measurements: Height from center of BB to top of saddle in a straight line along the seat tube, Angle (use a level or a cheap protractor scale from sears under $10), and fore/aft (I measure from the tip of the saddle to the front face of the stem (not the front of the face plate, but at the split).

Then adjust away. If you're rocking at normal cadence then your saddle is most likely too high. Only you will really know for sure.

My general fit rule is "if it hurts, and continues to hurt or gets worse after 20-30 minutes then change it"

CyLowe97

A slight tilt down this year has helped my riding tremendously.

Everybody's got to be the own judge of their fit in the end.

Blonde Warrior

jfmckenna:

Thanks for the help. This was just the type of advice I was looking for. All of my reading indicates how important bike fits by professionals are, but I suppose it really comes down to a blend of the correct foundation/personal preference.

Thanks again for your help. I am really excited about this new bike and want to keep getting better.

Al1943

+1

ranger5oh

Mine is angled down slightly. It relieved all the pressure off my perenium and got rid of the small amount of back pain I had been having.

pigmode

I angle mine up about about .125" to .187" to acheive the same result. It works the same for these saddles:

Aliante ti
Toupe 143
SLR ti

and also:

Arione

The funny thing is I tend to sit more fully into the Toupe than most other saddles.

lala

+1

Not every one can handle a flat saddle. It is very much dependant on the individual.

nolageek

I'm not touching that one, no matter how many replies came to mind when I read it.

CyLowe97

My high school English teachers would have drown that sentence in red ink, for sure....