Originally Posted by carpediemracing

I think the OP presented an interesting concept. I think that it'll get you roughly in the right position pretty quickly. I think repeatability would be tough but I'm sitting here at work, not on my trainer at home, so I can't experiment for myself.

The weakness is if the rider has sub/conscious expectations and sub/consciously adjusts leg extension stuff.

I used to use a similar theory to let riders fit themselves, but I did it a bit differently. I'd have riders stand on something with one leg, hanging onto something for support, and dangle the other leg loose over the edge of whatever (usually a step on a wooden stairway or a milk crate or a step stool). This would give them the feel for a relaxed leg at "full extension", but without using any force to extend the leg further than the natural limiters the body has (flexibility, joint problems etc). This would be the same feel/fit as when they were on the saddle dropping their leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

Then they could get that same "relaxed leg" fit on the bike, knowing what to look for in terms of feel and a quick visual on the leg angle. They could fine tune based on how their foot sat, i.e. toes down or flat. Usually this latter adjustment had to take place after some riding.

Originally Posted by UCIMBZ

comfort is only one aspect of the saddle height. The more important one is your saddle to be at a height where you get the most power and efficiency out of your strokes, which inturn is your near max extension. The heighest you can go without hurting or leaning is your optimum saddle height.