forearm-finger tip length for saddle fitting?
#1
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forearm-finger tip length for saddle fitting?
I ran across an article here on BF (click the PDF link, https://cobbcycling.com/positioning.cfm), that says the length of the back of my elbow to the tip of my middle finger should be the same distance from the front of my saddle to the center of my handle bar. What truth is there in this to a fit? Or is specific only to cobb seats?
Numbers-wise, that would be me moving from my existing 20.5" all the way to 18". Even with my slamming my seat all the way forward, I would still be 19" away. 2.5" is a huge adjustment, if this way of fitting is correct
Numbers-wise, that would be me moving from my existing 20.5" all the way to 18". Even with my slamming my seat all the way forward, I would still be 19" away. 2.5" is a huge adjustment, if this way of fitting is correct
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Maybe to the top of your steering tube, but I can't see going all the way to the center of the handlebar... way too crammed I would think.
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You can use it as a starting point. You have to start somewhere right? Then adjust according to your comfort. That type of measurement may have stemmed from the golden ratio mentality.
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I started a saddle tip to handlebar center thread a short while back and documented a number of pro's relative to how tall they are and also with reference to saddle height.
Suffice to say that my reach is easily on average 25mm or so short of an average six foot tall pro and yet the tip of my middle finger reachs to 'less than' the middle of my 110mm or stem...way short of the handlebar center. To me of all road bike fit conventions out there...like the handlebar blocking the front hub, KOPS etc, this particular convention which I have seen before is the most inaccurate. There is no way I could ride that cramped and again pros my size ride more stretched out than I do....some by as much as 2 inches.
OP, if interested, measure your forearm to tip and look up my thread for your size to see the amount of reach pros ride.
Suffice to say that my reach is easily on average 25mm or so short of an average six foot tall pro and yet the tip of my middle finger reachs to 'less than' the middle of my 110mm or stem...way short of the handlebar center. To me of all road bike fit conventions out there...like the handlebar blocking the front hub, KOPS etc, this particular convention which I have seen before is the most inaccurate. There is no way I could ride that cramped and again pros my size ride more stretched out than I do....some by as much as 2 inches.
OP, if interested, measure your forearm to tip and look up my thread for your size to see the amount of reach pros ride.
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Ignore it.
Another old wives' tale.
Fitters used to recommend this in days of yore.
I recall it being regarded as a valid advice in Europe in the mid-60s - when the world was a much smaller and ignorant place.
Another old wives' tale.
Fitters used to recommend this in days of yore.
I recall it being regarded as a valid advice in Europe in the mid-60s - when the world was a much smaller and ignorant place.
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I agree this is another fitter's old wives' tale.
It might get you in the neighborhood but it's not very helpful IMO.
Awhile ago I started a thread that listed lots of these "rules of thumb" that folks have used, I will see if I can dig it up and post a link...for your reading pleasure...
link:https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...les?highlight=
It might get you in the neighborhood but it's not very helpful IMO.
Awhile ago I started a thread that listed lots of these "rules of thumb" that folks have used, I will see if I can dig it up and post a link...for your reading pleasure...
link:https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...les?highlight=
#11
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Probably not a bad place to start. It's not like a binding law or anything. Like knee-over-pedal-spindle (kops), it's just a rule of thumb to get you in the ballpark.
I should add, if you are already in the ballpark, google maps won't help you find home plate.
I should add, if you are already in the ballpark, google maps won't help you find home plate.
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"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#13
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For me, this would result in bringing my saddle about 4cm closer to the handlebar and probably cause intense back pain in the process. I guess my forearms are short or something.
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Man, so much information (and misinformation) on the subject. I've been screwing around with my bike fit for the past 2 years to try and remedy my constant lower back pain to no avail. I know a pro bike fit is in order, but even the inconsistency on bike fit results has my head spinning in circles.
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
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I have a relatively long torso and short legs. I have the seat back as far as possible and I still have more pressure than I'd like on my hands. With my elbow on the seat my fingertips just cover the head tube.
Not even close for me.
Not even close for me.
#18
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Man, so much information (and misinformation) on the subject. I've been screwing around with my bike fit for the past 2 years to try and remedy my constant lower back pain to no avail. I know a pro bike fit is in order, but even the inconsistency on bike fit results has my head spinning in circles.
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
pretty much works only with tri/TT people and not as much roadies.
#19
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Just tried mine. My fingers just make it barely past the head tube as well. So I guess not a really good rule for a road bike.
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Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
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Sounds as though most of us that have weighed in have our middle finger just past the front edge of the head tube...which is how I measure as well.
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As said above, I think this 'rule' must be for t/t set-up. However, I believe (no comment on its validity) this is a variation on a 'rule' I've come across many times in older set-up guides: for road bikes, it's the same but one also places one's other hand horizontally across the front of the outstretched first hand (if that makes sense), touching index finger of outstretched hand/arm to middle of first finger on other hand. Middle of bar/stem should fall under little finger of second hand. So the 'measurement' adds the width of the rider's hand to the first measurement.
Sorry ... not clear, but that's the gist.
Sorry ... not clear, but that's the gist.
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As said above, I think this 'rule' must be for t/t set-up. However, I believe (no comment on its validity) this is a variation on a 'rule' I've come across many times in older set-up guides: for road bikes, it's the same but one also places one's other hand horizontally across the front of the outstretched first hand (if that makes sense), touching index finger of outstretched hand/arm to middle of first finger on other hand. Middle of bar/stem should fall under little finger of second hand. So the 'measurement' adds the width of the rider's hand to the first measurement.
Sorry ... not clear, but that's the gist.
Sorry ... not clear, but that's the gist.
Thanks for the clarification.
#24
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once you know where you like your bars, using your arm/fingers is just as good as a ruler. As a fitting method, it doesn't really tell you anything
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i never really thought anything of this "method" until cyclingtipsblog put it in his april fool's day post.