Originally Posted by
Richard Cranium
Sometimes a saddle will "give" a little - so I often start with the front of the saddle tilted down in front, and then when I sit on the saddle it "gives" so much that it IS actually level.
Often its the taper of saddle and the space between your legs that determines the saddle's fit - more so than the last degree of tilt...... A saddle's fore/aft position affects whether a tilt will increase comfort as well.
Yes, this is exactly right. It means that essentially every saddle is different, at least leather ones, due to differences in tension. I use a 24" carpenter's level set across the heel and toe of the saddle, then place a digital level on the carpenter's level. I tend to initially set any saddle level, then go out and ride, fine-tuning on the ride. I also place the bike in the same place in the house each time I want to either mount a new saddle or re-adjust what's on the bike. So if my level setting is not truly level, at least it's consistent. That at least lets me dial in a saddle pretty quickly.