I just angle my seat based on what's comfortable...but holy crap, the amount of "OMG, level your saddle!" posts in every bike forum picture thread just get tiring after awhile (tied with "tighten up your chain!").

I'm just curious what this specifically means.




I was recently reading a book by Chris Hoy/Chris Boardman about bike fit and it mentioned how UCI requires a level saddle. It's one of those rules set in stone and they only give you like an 1/8" of leeway.



So what exactly is considered a level saddle?



Is it making the longest section of the saddle (the main area where you sit on) level and ignoring the raised rear section?











Or is it making a ruler level while resting on each ends of the saddle?












Now what about a sloping top tube?




Level the saddle based on the top tube angle.....






Disregard top tube angle....