Originally Posted by
Commando303
I don't think you should offer that with so sure and objective a tone. It's perfectly safe and acceptable for a bicyclist to have his seat adjusted such he may touch part of each foot to the ground when stopped — depending on the bike and the type of riding, I'd say it's even much preferred to a saddle so far off the earth either of the rider's feet always is at least several inches from the ground.
I'll roll with that. Saddle height should be adjusted according to how straight your legs are when the pedal is at it's furthest point. A rider's leg should be able to extend almost fully at a comfortable seated position. However the knees should NOT be completely straight.
For most bicycles on the streets this means, due to bottom bracket heights and seat tube angles and crank lengths, that at best a rider while seated might be able to touch the ground on their tippy-toes. There are exceptions to the rule including choppers, certain cruisers, recumbants, etc.
But even if a bicycle allows one to simultaneously have good leg extension and keep a foot/toe on the ground in the seated position, starting to pedal from a full stop should be easier with the method I described a few posts ago.
I see a lot of new riders with saddles that are much too low, legs half bent at the down stroke, wondering why cycling is so uncomfortable, and potentially giving it up after the summer. I feel that a good, comfortable fit along with a well tuned bicycle and safer roads is key to year to year rider retention, which is always a positive thing.
/thread hijack