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Old 11-06-20, 11:06 AM
  #29  
dddd
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
 
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
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Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.

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Saddle tilt relates to how the rider is positioned on the bike, which in turn is related to how much torque on average is being applied to the pedals.

Long rides and gentle rides will see the rider applying less pedaling torque, which then has the rider's body weight falling forward relative to the bottom bracket "balancing point".

Shorter, harder rides require more pedaling torque, which tries force the rider's bottom rearward at the saddle, in opposition to the additional pedaling torque.

So, with intense pedaling requiring a more-forward position over the bottom bracket, the rider's body has also rotated forward. In addition, any effort at being aero will further tilt the rider's upper body and pelvis further forward. So of course the body's saddle-contact area has also rotated forward, necessitating some degree of comparative downward tilt of the saddle.

In addition to personal significant differences in different rider's body's weight distribution, the harder-pedaling and more-aero rider will tend to find a more-forward and more forward-tilting saddle most comfortable (relative to a more "relaxed" rider's fit adjustments).

Another factor in saddle positioning is how a forward saddle requires the rider to make less of a heave effort in order to pull themself up into an off-saddle position, which bodes well for quicker and more-frequent jumps out of the saddle as when sprinting or attacking steep terrain. This also can reduce knee strain/pain associated with long rides in hilly terrain, allowing a rider to ride further.

Lastly, perhaps the most common fit mistake I've observed is for riders whose saddle is only slightly too low to misinterpret their resultant slipping back over the rear edge of the saddle as meaning that their saddle needs to be moved rearward. Better to first raise the saddle, so as to keep the reach to the handlebars more comfortable and to preserve the weight distribution (stability) and aero benefits of a more forward saddle position.

Last edited by dddd; 11-06-20 at 11:14 AM.
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