Originally Posted by
TimothyH
Saddle position has nothing to do with reach.
Reach is the horizontal distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the head tube where it intersects the top tube.
Moving the saddle does not change reach. The only way to change reach is to buy a different frame.
The proper way to set up a diamond-frame bike is to set the following in order:
1) Saddle height relative to the bottom of the pedal stroke
2) Saddle fore/aft relative to the bottom bracket
3) Height of the bar relative to the saddle (saddle to bar drop) and distance from the saddle to the bar tops.
Step 3 is done with steerer height, stem length and angle, and to a lesser extent, the handlebar itself. A properly sized frame, one with correct reach, is assumed.
A saddle can be moved back to compensate for a shorter stem but it will always be less optimal than a properly fit bike as it moves the riders hips and knees relative to the cranks. This can impinge hip angles, compress the abdomen and impact breathing, and cause other problems. A worst case is extremely poor fit leading to injury over time. Reduced power and comfort are more likely. How much anyone can get away with is a personal decision.
Recumbents have nothing to do with proper setup of a diamond frame bike.
-Tim-
I don't know where you get this stuff, but I'm willing to bet you've been into cycling for a short time.
Stack and Reach are relatively new metics, but "reach" (lower case) is not. The OP is talking about the kind of reach that has always existed on bicycles.
Saddle set back uses all sorts of reference measures and tools that are horizontal and vertical for convenience, not because there is anything about pedaling that requires reference to graviity. You can pedal with equal efficiency right over the pedals, 6 inches back or two feet back. The main thing that changes is the angle of your butt and where your arms can reach.
There's that word again - reach. If the bars are too close you make the reach to them longer by adding some set back and adjusting seat height and angle, as well as bar height. You might end up sitting more vertical and less aero, but your legs won't know any different. Certainly all those random rando riders with their saddles further to the rear aren't having much trouble riding hundreds of miles that way.