Handlebar and saddle geometry?
02-02-12, 09:07 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Handlebar and saddle geometry?
As I am getting fitter, I am able to ride with a further drop in the handlebars (about 3 cm) than I used to. As I did this adjustment, I have also (just by b*tt feel) moved my saddle back about 1 cm and adjusted the height lower by 0.5cm.
This feels pretty comfortable to me, but I have no idea if I am doing something wrong.
What is the accepted relationship of handlebar drop to saddle back position and height?
Thanks
This feels pretty comfortable to me, but I have no idea if I am doing something wrong.
What is the accepted relationship of handlebar drop to saddle back position and height?
Thanks
02-02-12, 09:41 PM
#2
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Leavenworth, Washington
Posts: 36
Bikes: Scott CR1, Cannondale quick5, Actionbent tusanami
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If it is working good, you can ride for a long distance while relaxing, then it is correct. Funny thing, no two people will fit the same bike.
02-03-12, 12:36 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times
in
1,439 Posts
The more you bend over the further back your butt needs to be for balance (whether you're on a bike or not). As your butt moves back the distance to the bottom bracket (I.e. center of pedaling motion) increases slightly. It sounds to me like what your feeling matches theory pretty well.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
02-03-12, 08:06 AM
#4
Senior Member
Thre relationship between the saddle height to saddle setback is about 3mm higher for each 10mm that the saddle is moved back. That means that the saddle would need to be lowered by 3mm to maintain the same saddle to pedal distance.
Last edited by DaveSSS; 02-03-12 at 08:48 AM.
02-03-12, 08:25 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
That sounds opposite of what Peter White says on his website. If I move the saddle higher and back, the leg reach to the bottom of pedal stroke would be getting longer. Not sure that would be comfortable for me.
02-03-12, 08:32 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,018
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey R 260 Disc; 2008 Trek 4.7 Madone; 2017 Framed Minnesota 3.0 Fat Bike; 1984 Nishiki International
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This seems right to me and is more intuitive (the farther back you go, the more your legs are stretching). I just moved my saddle forward and it feels like I need to raise it a bit.
02-03-12, 08:47 AM
#7
Senior Member
That's not what I was saying to do. Since moving the saddle back makes the saddle to pedal distance longer, you have to lower the saddle by 3mm for each 10mm that the saddle is moved back, to maintain the SAME saddle height.
02-03-12, 08:54 AM
#8
Two-Wheeled Aficionado
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wichita
Posts: 4,903
Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur TR, Cannondale Quick CX dropbar conversion & others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Solution: assuming saddle height is correct at start, measure saddle height from center top of saddle to lowest/farthest point to pedal spindle. (This point should make your crank arm look like it's extending the seat tube, for obvious reasons.)
After moving saddle back, lower it as necessary to get the same saddle height. Some people won't notice 3mm. And of course some have their saddles at the wrong height to begin with.
After moving saddle back, lower it as necessary to get the same saddle height. Some people won't notice 3mm. And of course some have their saddles at the wrong height to begin with.
02-03-12, 08:55 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Stix Zadinia
Commuting
56
01-29-13 03:56 PM
