Hi again BF friends,

Yesterday I raised my saddle (less than half an inch), which changed the way the bike handled a bit. The front wheel seemed to want to jacknife in turns at first, but I got used to turning again after practicing so I don't think there is a problem with that. However, the saddle is now a little uncomfortable at the front. And although the saddle still looks level, when I slide forward off of it when I stop, it feels that I am having to slide "over" the nose of the saddle to dismount. Perhaps that's only because it's higher now?

I also still feel that I need to scoot back a little while I'm riding to get off the nose of the saddle, as before.

Also, since the seatpost is angled, raising it should put it a little farther back, so I was hoping it would get the knee over pedal spindle thing right, but I checked it and I think my knee is still a little (an inch?) forward. I'm not sure I'm doing this correctly, though. The pedals might not have been in the perfect place when I checked. How much does this matter for casual riding?

Anyway, my questions are, should I try to move the saddle forward or backward any, and should I try to tilt it down at the front very slightly? Or should I just lower it back to where it was before I raised it this last time? I think I now have it very close to the right height, as my knees have a slight bend during the bottom of the pedal stroke. They didn't have a whole lot of bend before I raised it this last time, but I think the new height is probably closer to what it should be.

The handlebar reach seems to be OK, but I'm not sure of that either, since I seem to wind up feeling that I'm a little too far forward on the saddle and then I scoot back. My arms have only a little bit of bend at the elbow and in my very short rides my arms aren't uncomfortable. But I can't see myself on the bike, and I'm not sure what the *correct* positions of all these things would be even if I could. (the beginner thing)

I think the bike is the right size for me (XS 13.5, I'm a shade under 5'3", and the seatpost isn't extended much and the seat is still lower than where the handlebars attach). Trek 7100 women's if that matters. I just casually ride in my immediate hilly neighborhood.

The knee over spindle thing would seem to indicate I need to move it back a little, but feeling that I'm sitting too much on the saddle nose would seem that I need to move it forward a little. And now the nose is somewhat poking me since I raised the saddle. I'm totally confused. Or should I just ride it for awhile as is and see if I get used to it? Please advise.

Or do the seat and handlebars both need to come backward some? But the handlebars already look high relative to the seat and that would make them even higher. My head is spinning. LOL

On another note, yesterday when I was practicing circling/turning, the front brake pad was briefly rubbing the rim in some of the turns, not constantly, just for a second every now and then, and not when going straight. Not enough to slow the bike, but just enough to make a sound. I have not noticed this before. Is this normal, or is it probably just the cables stretching a little because it's a brand new bike? When I get more miles on it, I will take it back for its free post-purchase tuneup, but it only has 10-15 miles on it, so I want to wait a little longer. If I could easily get it to the bike shop, I'd ask them, but I can't, so I'm asking here. Thanks for your help!

Sorry for the long post but I don't know the brief way to describe these problems.