Originally Posted by
DaveSSS
robncircus...
All you have to do is look at the pictures of euro pro bikes at any of several websites that cover pro racing to see how the bikes are setup. You don't need any credentials to do that. It's obvious they use lots of setback, lots of reach and lots of drop.
My only credentials are a mechanincal engineering degree (1981) and 26 seasons of riding. I've learned a thing or two in all those years. Even though I'm fast approaching 57 years old, I tolerate an 11cm drop and I credit that to being properly balanced over the saddle, with little weight on my hands. If I move my saddle forward even 1cm, I start to feel the pressure on my hands.
Fair enough but again to imply that saddle position is independent of torso/leg length (which your reply above does) I think doesn't hold true 100% of the time. I'm only suggesting that what works for you works for you and may not work for everyone. I do think femur length has some impact on overall saddle position and comfort.
re: KOPS. This is an endless debate here on BF. However, looking at some pictures of pros actually on their bikes (not just their bikes) it seems many are close to KOPS. Obviously it's tough to tell from pictures that aren't perfectly taken for this purpose but most of them appear to have knee/pedal closely aligned.