TDF - Seat height
 

Does anybody find that the seat height on the tour riders high?
I am the same height as a couple of the riders and my seat is not as high.
Any thoughts?

lower seat height is better for producing power.

are arent them...you might be riding a bigger bike as well

Saddle height is part of how your bike fits. You want it to fit you, not someone else.

He probably is. Check out the setback and reach of pro bikes - they all run pretty small frames.

By high, you mean how much post is sticking out above the top tubes, right? That struck me too, but since the pros use frames that are smaller sized, they are bound to have more post showing!

I got my bike at a local LBS and got fit for height and adjustments.
I ride a 52 cm frame.
I just found it strange at the height of the saddle on the pros. I don't think I could touch the pedals at some of the saddle heights.

Yeah that is what I mean.
What size frame do they use?

Lower is more power? that is new to me. How do you figure?

Yea, that's not correct.

They obviously use different sized frames, given that the height of the riders varies. Andy Schleck likley does not ride the same frame size as Mark Cavendish.

What you can say as a generality is that Pro riders today, tend to ride smaller frames than typically ridden by recreational riders of the same height.

One major reason for this is that it facilitates a greater drop from the bar to the seat, encouraging a more aerodynamic position.

For example, Schleck at 6'1" reportedly rides a 56cm frame

Why do they use smaller frames? Aren't most of their bikes under the weight limits anyway so they have to add weight? Thought I heard/read that somewhere.

yeah slightly lower saddle position is more powerful than what is consider the correct saddle position by most recreational cyclist.

It's not for the weight savings, it's for the position. Smaller frame = shorter head tube, and more seat post extended = more drop from seat to bars.

The smaller frame may be a bit more stiff, but the primary reason is postioning.

Actually a lower saddle usually permits a higher cadence. A higher saddle normally provides more power. You can shorten or lengthen the effective saddle height by sliding forward or backward on the saddle.

what i meant is that most pros will ride a bike not "fit" for them..smaller for tighter handling and stiffness...if he bought one sized for him and he's tall like some of them are then he's might be riiding a larger frame with lower seat

Ah its July in bike world.

you need to recalibrate your television monitor's built-in seat-height-o-meter.

are you referring to how much seat post is showing?

in that case, it's probably because their bikes are probably 2 sizes smaller than yours, so much more post is showing, since their seat tubes are so much shorter.

i have 2 bikes - a 58 and a 56. on the 56, i'm almost at minimum insertion, whereas on the 58, not so.

lower saddle = cadence

higher saddle = power

Its the difference between recruiting more glute vs quad/ham. The higher the saddle(to a threshold where your hips dont move)the more power and length in each downstroke and the "heavier" you sit in the saddle. The lower the saddle the lighter you are on the pads because you are floating a little more with the bottom of the downstroke raising you just the tiniest bit without rocking your hips.

Thats why Ivan Basso uses an adjustable seatpost so he can power through flats and spin through hills/rollers

I am 5'9" with a 32.75" inseam and I ride a 53cm (53.5 virtual) with a 135mm stem because I like a LONG reach when I sprint or low in the drops. I also ride with a setback of about 35mm(short femurs) and a height of 740mm-745mm. I ride 740mm when I want to cruise a little or spin more like climbing...and 745mm when I need some power riding big gears.

youre talkin dirty now...

smaller bikes have a shorter wheel base and handle 'quicker'.

:)

Smaller bikes allow a more aerodynamic handlebar position.