Originally Posted by
Duane Behrens
Drew and FB jumped to conclusions, when they SHOULD have asked "How far did you move it forward?" or "Where was the seat positioned before you moved it?"
A blanket statement like "You can't use saddle position to set reach" is not only inappropriate - it's incorrect. Saddle position DOES affect reach to the bars, unavoidably, and every time you change it.
I'll jump in on the defense side also. Yes you can use saddle position to adjust the reach but it's a mistake to do so. As several posters have noted, saddle position relative to the bottom bracket is set based on the rider's leg geometry and preferences and THEN reach is adjusted by stem and bar choice.
Your friend's saddle may have been positioned incorrectly at first but you should not readjust it only to change her reach.