Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,727
Likes: 2,105
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
For me the best saddle angle is a compromise which depends on the amount that I lean forward which depends on which hand positions I have on the drop bars. I sometimes use the drops which means leaning pretty far forward, sometimes use the tops where the interrupter brake levers are, and sometimes the hoods or other places. All of these positions cause a big change in the amount of forward lean. The net result is that I usually have to use a trial and error method of finding the exact saddle angle that is a compromise that works for all levels of forward lean.
I also find that the width of saddle is dependent on amount of forward lean, if I sit more upright I can use a wider saddle like a B17 but when I lean more forward I need a narrower saddle like a Brooks Pro. I settled on the Conquest as my favorite.
If you have springs on the saddle (Flyer, Conquest), when you sit on the bike, that also depresses the rear of the saddle a few mm which impacts the saddle angle. I tried to measure the spring deflection several years ago, I measured 5mm for my weight which is about 180 pounds. But this measurement was not easy to do when you can't see what you are measuring, thus measurement is subject to wide tolerance.
Last edited by Tourist in MSN; 01-13-15 at 08:06 AM.