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Pro's change their saddle height based on terrain?

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Pro's change their saddle height based on terrain?

Old 07-16-08, 07:48 PM
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Pro's change their saddle height based on terrain?

In watching The Tour, I've noticed that some riders have good leg extension (85-95% extended), and some that have it significantly shortened (65-75%).

Do the Pro's adjust their saddle height (prior to the start, of course!) depending on if their on flats or climbing?
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Old 07-16-08, 07:53 PM
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Yeah, I was wondering the same thing! I'm watching stage 11 now, and I thought "damn, my saddle must be set too high, look how bent those guy's legs are"!
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Old 07-16-08, 07:57 PM
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Yeah, I also noticed that when they're time trialing, a lot of them are sitting on the front edge of their seat.
Interesting... maybe someone in here will shed some light.
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Old 07-16-08, 07:58 PM
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Don't tt's by design "push" you forward?
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Old 07-16-08, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by UtahWasatch
Don't tt's by design "push" you forward?
Good question... anyone?

And for the seat height?

waterrockets may know...
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Old 07-16-08, 08:05 PM
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Sitting way forward, like for TT'ing, generates more power- you sacrifice comfort for this. Do the pros change their saddle height depended on terrain? Don't know. I could see changing their fore/aft though, which would also mean adjusting their saddle height.

The position that one rider is in that generates the most power for them doesn't mean that it will work for another though. So don't look at a pro and think you need to lower/raise your saddle based on what you see on TV.
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Old 07-16-08, 08:22 PM
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many guys start the season with slightly lower saddles heights, particularly during some spring classics like roubaix. usually by this point in the season they've settled into their position though. then there are some guys who NEVER change their saddle height.
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Old 07-16-08, 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by AndyK
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing! I'm watching stage 11 now, and I thought "damn, my saddle must be set too high, look how bent those guy's legs are"!
Moinard. His saddle is low, his knees are way bent. More than any other Pro I've seen.
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Old 07-16-08, 08:56 PM
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It's like anything else on a bike. There is no one perfect fit for everyone. Each person is different.

Usually if your saddle is too high you can have pain behind the knee's and lower back. If it is too low the fronts of your knees will hurt. Adjust accordingly.
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Old 07-16-08, 11:05 PM
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when a saddle is slightly lower it promotes spinning vs turning a big gear. This position does not always produce the most power but higher cadence can improve one climbing ability , and in some cases higher RPM mean more power. . especially if hills are not your thing lowering you saddle can help turn the gear. but we are talking a very minimal amount, not something you would even notice via TV camera. This however does not explain why a pro would lower their saddle position. It's probably just camera angles that is causing it to seem as if its a lower saddle position. The body would be in some serious pain if you were to switch positions back and forth over 100's of miles.
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Old 07-16-08, 11:30 PM
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Originally Posted by AndyK
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing! I'm watching stage 11 now, and I thought "damn, my saddle must be set too high, look how bent those guy's legs are"!
Exhibit A. TDF stage 11 winner, Kurt Arvesen.*



*SPOILER ALERT
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Old 07-16-08, 11:37 PM
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From what I've seen most recreational cyclists run their saddles too high, which is why you see a proliferation of nose down saddle positions from weekend warrior types.
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Old 07-17-08, 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by vic32amg
when a saddle is slightly lower it promotes spinning vs turning a big gear. This position does not always produce the most power but higher cadence can improve one climbing ability , and in some cases higher RPM mean more power. . especially if hills are not your thing lowering you saddle can help turn the gear. but we are talking a very minimal amount, not something you would even notice via TV camera. This however does not explain why a pro would lower their saddle position. It's probably just camera angles that is causing it to seem as if its a lower saddle position. The body would be in some serious pain if you were to switch positions back and forth over 100's of miles.
Originally Posted by OnTheRivet
From what I've seen most recreational cyclists run their saddles too high, which is why you see a proliferation of nose down saddle positions from weekend warrior types.
+1... also riding a fixed gear really shows you how a very slight lowering of a saddle height/position enhances high speed spinning.
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Old 07-17-08, 12:20 AM
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Originally Posted by KiddSisko
Exhibit A. TDF stage 11 winner, Kurt Arvesen.*



*SPOILER ALERT
Looks fine to me. The knee bend *should* be around 25-30 degrees.
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Old 07-17-08, 12:21 AM
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Originally Posted by KiddSisko
Exhibit A. TDF stage 11 winner, Kurt Arvesen.*



*SPOILER ALERT
Moinard has twice that much bend in his knees.

Also - look how small Arvesen's frame is - looks one size too small. The guy can ride, though...
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Old 07-17-08, 12:29 AM
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Worst. Spoiler Alert. Ever.
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Old 07-17-08, 12:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Ralleh
Worst. Spoiler Alert. Ever.
Yep. A lot like the instructions on diffusing a bomb:

1. Open panel

2. Locate BLUE wire

3. Cut BLUE wire

4. But first, be SURE to shunt the power!
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Old 07-17-08, 01:21 AM
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It is an optical illusion. When they're mashing up the mountain, you see their legs in slo-mo and you see the full extension

When they're hammering at 120+ RPM, you tend to see the knee bend as it goes through the dead spot which looks considerably cramped
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Old 07-17-08, 04:34 AM
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Not that my riding style should even be brought up in the same thread as Arvesen, or even most of you guys, but...

I find if I am coasting, I can almost fully extend my knee at the bottom of my peddle stroke (saddle too high). But when I am peddling, I think my knee bends more and I don't extend as much. Is this a flaw in my technique, or is that the norm?
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Old 07-17-08, 05:10 AM
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Originally Posted by AndyK
Not that my riding style should even be brought up in the same thread as Arvesen, or even most of you guys, but...

I find if I am coasting, I can almost fully extend my knee at the bottom of my peddle stroke (saddle too high). But when I am peddling, I think my knee bends more and I don't extend as much. Is this a flaw in my technique, or is that the norm?
my guess is when you coast you're dropping your heels, which you don't do while riding. (you should do it)
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Old 07-17-08, 07:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Ralleh
Worst. Spoiler Alert. Ever.
+1
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Old 07-17-08, 07:09 AM
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Originally Posted by euphoria
It is an optical illusion. When they're mashing up the mountain, you see their legs in slo-mo and you see the full extension

When they're hammering at 120+ RPM, you tend to see the knee bend as it goes through the dead spot which looks considerably cramped
What I saw was not. I saw Moinard from the side (90 degree angle). Also, I did not see the same "illusion" with any of the other riders.
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Old 07-17-08, 07:11 AM
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Saddle height is personal. Some like more bend at the bottom of the stroke than others. I don't think the pros change their saddle height for different conditions like climbing/rolling. They are really looking for a consistent position. However, a TT bike is obviously different.

... Brad
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Old 07-17-08, 07:12 AM
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Old 07-17-08, 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by paimeii
Bruce Willis was a ghost.*



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