danielboik

My question is about saddle position. After riding a '80's vintage steel bike with steep head and seat tube angles for years (decades) lol, the measurement between saddle position and bb is much smaller compared to the new road bike I recently purchased. By increasing this distance it moves my legs (feet) forward. My question is if you move your bb forward does this make it harder to pedal? or is this something that takes getting use to? any input would be appreciated.

Carbonfiberboy 

Fore and aft saddle position has more to do with balance on the bike and hip angle than pedaling per se. That said, many people slide back in the saddle to climb and forward to go hard on the flats. Cruising, it doesn't seem to make much difference other than, as I said, to balance and thus weight on your hands. Further back = less hand weight. There will be a difference in muscle recruitment. Further back tends to recruit the glutes and hams more, further forward more quads. But this difference goes away with miles as your muscles get used to it.

danielboik

thanks!