Oops! The photoI posted is a test of saddle height with my heel on the pedal. I was trying to pedal with my heels to get an idea of leg extension.

Here's another photo:

Giant-bike-fit-hoods.jpg

I had a pro-fit several months after this photo and the fitter *raised* the saddle even more. I was measured as having an 875mm inseam (34.4") even though I'm only 177cm (5'9.5") tall. I have my saddle height set to 760-765mm from the BB.

I'm pretty sure my saddle height is fine now - plenty of power and no knee pain.

The downside is that having a long inseam on a bike that is sized for my total height means I get more bar drop than I would on a larger frame (with more stack / taller head tube).

My core strength could definitely be better, and this may be a part of it. So it my basic neck and shoulder / tricep muscle strength (my wife says I have a head like a cannonball if I rest against her...) Getting the bars higher may make it easier, but may also not achieve the optimal reach (in fact the higher bar will reduce reach).

Thanks for the feedback.

John