Saddle specific question
 

I'm riding my Trek 7.4 with it's stock saddle. I've been playing around with saddle position the last several rides i.e. height, forward/backwared etc. But because of the saddle shape... if I keep it level I tend to slide forward slightly. Not too much but just enough where I find myself pushing my butt back further onto the saddle. If I tilt it up I feel like I'm sitting firm in the saddle but with the forward section tilted up slightly it pushes up against where I wish it didn't push up against.

Should I be looking at a relatively "flat" saddle, possibly one with a forward sloping nose?

I know I still have a couple of more positions to work with regarding seatpost height but I thought I'd throw this out just in case someone else may have had this same problem and found a solution.

Your slightly nose up position is too "up," and your next position down is too "down." Sounds familiar! Many seat posts with adjustable tilt actually have notches, where the angle can only be adjusted in discrete steps. I usually find with these that the position I want is impossibly in-between, and no, my body does not adjust itself to accommodate. I always change out the post for a true micro adjusting seat post, like a Thomson Elite Setback. With these you can adjust 1/10 of a degree at a time if you want. They are also referred to as true two-bolt seat posts. Earliest one I know if is the Campagnolo Record seat post dating back to the "60s or earlier.

I agree with your assessment. I seem to be suffering from the "3 Bears" syndrome and a micro adjust seat post may be my next move.

I'm surprised, if your 7.4 does not have a micro adjustable seat post.

Start with your saddle perfectly level, and me 1/4 turn adjustments until you don't slide around. Then make only 1/4 turn adjustments until you get it where you want it, which might be where you don't slide around on it.

If that doesn't work, you need different saddle.

Wanderer,

The "level" adjustment on my 7.4 is serrated (toothed, not sure of the proper term) so I only have a choice of preset increments.

I'm going to continue playing around with it to see what combination of what I already have may result in a more comfortable feeling. I'd prefer to do that before investing in a new saddle or seat post. But, with that said, I'm getting the feeling a new Micro Adjust seat post is somewhere in the future.

I'd start with a micro adjustable seat post.

If you have a Madone with a seat mast instead of separate seat post, your options there are non-existent. One possibility that occurs to me is that you have too much distance between your saddle and your bars. If your saddle fore/aft position is correct given your leg bone lengths, then you might look at a stem with less extension or more elevation. If you have to reach too far forward, your tendency is to slide forward on the saddle to get to a more comfortable position.

I believe there are aftermarket seat mast toppers from producers like Ritchey, KCNC, Woodman, Tune, and New Ultimate that fit certain Trek masts; I'm not familiar with a Madone 7.4, though, so you may be right, but it may also be worth looking into, if only because new product comes out all the time.

I have a Trek (2013 model I think) FX7.5. Had the same exact problems you are having. Wound up moving the seat back about 1 notch and bringing the nose up 1 notch. Had to play wit it several days until it felt correct however.

looks like a 1 bolt angle adjustable ..

7.4 FX - Trek Bicycle

maybe just not as easily adjustable as some aftermarket posts .. **

perhaps the bar height and reach is not right for the rider in question.

I have my saddles a smidge nose Up, so there is less slipping forward. all the time , like a nose down will have..

** I last replaced one on a bike [not a FX7] with a Cane Creek thudbuster ST,
which offers a bit of bump absorption. while offering setback ..