Level Seating
#1
Thread Starter
VFL For Life




Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 53,909
Likes: 2,399
From: Knoxville, TN
Bikes: Velo Volmobile
Level Seating
I just noticed my saddle is several degrees off level.
Thread survey: How close is your saddle to level? Did you use a tool to check it? Do you eyeball it? Or do you position it at the angle that feels best (not level)?
Thread survey: How close is your saddle to level? Did you use a tool to check it? Do you eyeball it? Or do you position it at the angle that feels best (not level)?
#3
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,410
Likes: 188
From: Tariffville, CT
Bikes: Tsunami road bikes, Dolan DF4 track
Mine is usually slightly off level if you measure from end to end, maybe 2-3 mm lower in the front. I adjust based on feel, and since I rarely sit far back on the saddle, I measure the "level" starting about 2 cm from the back of the saddle. In other words I don't count the last bit of the saddle, therefore the saddle isn't quite level.
Yesterday though I decided I wanted to raise the nose a touch. I haven't done it yet.
With a flatter saddle (no upturn at the tail), it was level.
cdr
Yesterday though I decided I wanted to raise the nose a touch. I haven't done it yet.
With a flatter saddle (no upturn at the tail), it was level.
cdr
#4
Should Be More Popular




Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 46,166
Likes: 11,742
From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
No wonder it's off, you are climbing a steep hill (at least in your avatar, what happened to the T??).
Anyway, mine is level but just eyeballed. A few degrees either way is ok, tweak to your comfort.
Anyway, mine is level but just eyeballed. A few degrees either way is ok, tweak to your comfort.
#7
stole your bike


Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,907
Likes: 27
From: North Bergen, NJ
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Ridley Compact
Mine is level and after having tried different nose angles it's what works best for me. Get a level to help you if you're looking to get it perfectly level, but going off how it feels is a good way to do it as well.
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I like pie
I like pie
#9
Thread theft alert:
Datlas - You eyeballing me boy?
Mark Sat Nov 6th in your calendar for the Philly Dirty Dozen. (13 of Philly's steepest climbs)
https://colinsandbergevents.blogspot....rty-dozen.html
#13
Mine is level I use this with a flat piece of wood on my saddle making sure bike is on level ground.
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It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
#20
Slower than Yesterday
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Katy, Texas, USA
Bikes: Trek Domane 5.2, Specialized Fatboy Carbon Comp
I put a clipboard on mine and use my iPhone with a level app, or a real level whenever I manage to find it.
I've found that even if it's tilted up or down a 0.5 degree I'll notice it pretty quickly when riding.
I just found this weekend that it wasn't level side-to-side, though, which explains a few times. Turns out when torquing down the seat clamp it was tending to move the saddle to one side. D'oh!
I've found that even if it's tilted up or down a 0.5 degree I'll notice it pretty quickly when riding.
I just found this weekend that it wasn't level side-to-side, though, which explains a few times. Turns out when torquing down the seat clamp it was tending to move the saddle to one side. D'oh!
#22
Pointy Helmet Tribe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,338
Likes: 629
From: Offthebackistan
Bikes: R5, Allez Sprint, Shiv
Mine is also about 0.7 degree nose-up. The rear curves down a bit and I find this position to be the most comfortable.
Btw, those of you with iPod/iPads - get Clinometer. A great app for checking levels. That's what I use to set my seat.
V.
Btw, those of you with iPod/iPads - get Clinometer. A great app for checking levels. That's what I use to set my seat.
V.
#24
Thread Starter
VFL For Life




Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 53,909
Likes: 2,399
From: Knoxville, TN
Bikes: Velo Volmobile
You can use an IPhone as a level?
Once upon a time I thought my saddle was level. And if you don't look at it real closely from the side it still looks level. But I broke out the level and sure enough the front is over an inch lower. Apparently it tilted down over time.
Once upon a time I thought my saddle was level. And if you don't look at it real closely from the side it still looks level. But I broke out the level and sure enough the front is over an inch lower. Apparently it tilted down over time.




