Originally Posted by bigfred

Axiom,

Don't make seat adjustments based on a bunch of speculation from us, when you haven't even provided the pertinent details with regard to what your current seat height is. If you actually want to attempt a decent "internet" fit. Get a friend to help take your "cycling measurements". Follow the instructions on Competitive Cyclist's fit calculator. That will give you some rough starting points. Then, measure where your bike is set right now. Compare the two. Then, before making any adjustments. Get on said bike while on a wind trainer, rollers or even leaning against the wall and get the same friend to take a couple photos of your self, in riding position, with the cranks parallel to the ground and with the crank and your leg at full extension(in line with the seat tube). Make sure your heel is roughly at the height it would be while cycling. Repeat these photos with your hands on the flats, hoods and drops.

From that, the collective here will be able to give you a pretty good idea of where you might want to consider making fit adjustments. It's not rocket science. Not at the begining stages, at least.

With regard to pedals. If you're going to continue to use your bike for commuting to class and/or work, leave the platform pedals on, so you can ride in sneakers or other non cycling footwear. Typicaly with platform pedals your seat height will be slightly lower than it would be with cycling shoes (which tend to be designed with a false high heal). Also, your ability to spin in sneakers and in the absence of foot retention will be slightly limited, due to the fact that you can't effectively scrape and lift. If I were going to make a recommendation with regard to pedals while maintaining the bikes commuting function, it would be to invest in clip and straps for the platforms you have. Or, purchase platforms that can accomodate clips and straps. This would allow you to ride with any street shoe you choose and still achieve an improved pedal stroke over platforms alone.

Don't limit yourself to Brooks and F'zi'k(Sp?). Just find what works for you. I ride Selle Italia and have for years. A friend of similiar proportion rides San Marcos. Specialized make a good range of widths. Saddles are an extremely personal fit issue and no one on the internet knows what shape your sit bones are. Sit bone shape has little to do with weight. Weight is just the exterior coverage. Underneith their is your skeleton and thats what needs to be accomodated.

Hope this helps,