Is this seat angle ridiculous?
10-21-08 | 12:02 AM
#27
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
I wear cycling shoes that are designed for use with clips and straps and they are very comfortable on and off the bike.
My clipless shoes are also very nice and for long tours I'll sometimes run clipless pedals on my bike for urban assaults I much prefer my old clips and straps which are attached to some pretty nice pedals.
I like my clipless pedals for off road riding (sometimes) but depending on the type of riding I might very switch over to half steps...
10-21-08 | 08:02 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,757
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From: New York City
Is this seat angle ridiculous? Yes. There is almost never a good reason for a saddle to not be level (give or take a barely noticable degree).
I actually think the frame is a pretty close fit (though really impossible to tell from an internet picture), but your set up is just all wrong.
Use this fit calculator to at least get closer to an ideal set up (given your frame that can't be changed).
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO
I actually think the frame is a pretty close fit (though really impossible to tell from an internet picture), but your set up is just all wrong.
Use this fit calculator to at least get closer to an ideal set up (given your frame that can't be changed).
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO
Last edited by gfrance; 10-21-08 at 08:16 AM.
10-21-08 | 08:19 AM
#30
Don't Hate.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 625
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OP, I like your responses - nice going in not letting people peer pressure you into changing your style.. I can't argue with the fact that you are comfortable with your bike and shoes the way they are. Cool. But the saddle will be much better if it is level or near level. Less strain on your wrists and ass. Try it.
10-21-08 | 08:37 AM
#31
Live without dead time
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,136
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From: Toronto
If you've gotta lock your arms to support yourself, something is severely wrong, and it's almost certainly the saddle angle sending your weight forward. If that angle is comfortable on your sit bones I'd look at a saddle that is less flat and has a bit more of a S shape when viewed from the side.
10-21-08 | 08:50 AM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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Let me see if I can address some of the points brought up here:
Yes, the saddle was installed level and further back on the rails. Also Sanchez, if I were to lower the seat, I would not have a full pedal stroke. If I moved the seat back an inch, I wouldn't be anywhere close to having my leg over the pedal in any part of the stroke. The bars don't 'need' to be wrapped, they actually have quite a nice gripping surface and I'm poor until the end of the month. If I shorten the cable housing, the brakes bind since my levers are butted right up against the stem. And don't hate, the shoes are awesome. Your awesome-radar, however, is totally lame. I will look into lowering the stem if all else fails though, thanks.
Arms are locked because I'm leaning against a wall, and sliding forward on the seat (obviously a problem). I would say at the bottom of a stroke, my leg is about 80% extended. I'm contemplating a new seatpost (infinite adjustment) and would like to get a longer one. Probably an indication of a poor fitting bike, but I'm just barely short (.5-1") of where the height would feel most comfortable.
I'm not sure a wider seat will do much. This one fits my sit bones perfectly, it's just the meaty part between them that is uncomfortable (periostenum I guess).
The bike may well be too small for me, but to iterate, I am too strapped for cash to consider a whole new bike. A new saddle I can do. Also, aside from the saddle I find the bike very comfortable. The reach is a little far when I ride in the morning, being stiff from just waking up, but I can ride with my hands closer in too.
Sorry about the convoluted response, I tried to respond to the comments with respect to who replied. I have basically confirmed my suspicions that this seat angle is going to be goofy as hell. Thanks to all who replied, and if you have any more comments I welcome them.
Yes, the saddle was installed level and further back on the rails. Also Sanchez, if I were to lower the seat, I would not have a full pedal stroke. If I moved the seat back an inch, I wouldn't be anywhere close to having my leg over the pedal in any part of the stroke. The bars don't 'need' to be wrapped, they actually have quite a nice gripping surface and I'm poor until the end of the month. If I shorten the cable housing, the brakes bind since my levers are butted right up against the stem. And don't hate, the shoes are awesome. Your awesome-radar, however, is totally lame. I will look into lowering the stem if all else fails though, thanks.
Arms are locked because I'm leaning against a wall, and sliding forward on the seat (obviously a problem). I would say at the bottom of a stroke, my leg is about 80% extended. I'm contemplating a new seatpost (infinite adjustment) and would like to get a longer one. Probably an indication of a poor fitting bike, but I'm just barely short (.5-1") of where the height would feel most comfortable.
I'm not sure a wider seat will do much. This one fits my sit bones perfectly, it's just the meaty part between them that is uncomfortable (periostenum I guess).
The bike may well be too small for me, but to iterate, I am too strapped for cash to consider a whole new bike. A new saddle I can do. Also, aside from the saddle I find the bike very comfortable. The reach is a little far when I ride in the morning, being stiff from just waking up, but I can ride with my hands closer in too.
Sorry about the convoluted response, I tried to respond to the comments with respect to who replied. I have basically confirmed my suspicions that this seat angle is going to be goofy as hell. Thanks to all who replied, and if you have any more comments I welcome them.
Last edited by clink83; 10-21-08 at 08:55 AM.
10-21-08 | 11:26 AM
#33
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 556
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From: Blo-no, IL
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Hardrock Sport, 1970's Miyata Liberty ala fixed gear
Anyway, as I stated, I figured I wouldn't make it too far with that angle. Quarter mile had me busting out the wrench.
Szczuldo: No I will not get clipless. I refuse to change shoes when I get in to work just so I can accomplish the exact same thing as with straps. I have them on my mountain bike though. And why would I put platforms on a fixed gear, not that I stated it was. The kickstand: No I will not lose it, it holds my bike up when I want it to...
That is a real handlebar, and no. I actually ran drops on this until just recently. I didn't like them, I never used the drops and when I wanted leverage, it wasn't there. These bars are great. I am usually not that far out on them, but I was leaning against a wall whilst the picture was taken.
I don't remember who said to try the seat at a slight upward angle, but I'll give it a shot. I can't see how it will help, as I would think it would just put more pressure on certain places.
I think what it will come down to is a new seatpost with infinite adjustment. I don't think the guts on this one can give me the ability to adjust that I need to find the correct angle. This morning's ride was actually pretty comfortable since it's a bit colder now and things aren't in the way as much, you know: pv=nRT (v1T1=v2T2).
Thanks for all the advice, whether it was taken or not.
10-21-08 | 12:36 PM
#34
staring at the mountains
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 218
From: Castle Pines, CO
Bikes: Obed GVR, Fairdale Goodship, Salsa Timberjack 29
It's counter-intuitive, but seriously, try having the saddle slightly pointed UP. It will shift your weight back towards your sit bones and not forward (onto the soft stuff).
10-21-08 | 04:43 PM
#36
takin' it to the streets
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
From: Denv-arrrgghhh
Bikes: 1999 Kona Kapu; late 70's/early 80's Araya road bike/commuter bike.
Saddles are tricky. There are thousands of them because there are thousands of different types of sit bones, butts, and taints. Everyone's different. Not trying to make a plug (a butt plug?), but if you can find a place that demo's saddles, or if you can find a place that has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Ride your bike up to a reputable LBS and just explain it to them. The Internet is a hard medium use when trying to address this issue. People can be real tools who don't offer any modicum of useful advice.
10-21-08 | 06:48 PM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Alphabet City
There's actually a lot of good advice on this thread for those willing to take it. The set-up of virtually every adjustable component on the bike is wrong. Way wrong. The root problem being that the OP is trying to make a tarck riding position for himself on a road frame. With the exception of running a single cog out back, set the bike up as it was intended to be set up and you'll be fine.
10-21-08 | 07:28 PM
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 144
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one way to take a pic that was more realistic of how you actually sit, without straining out against the wall, would be to use the much hated kick stand...
I agree with pulling it off, it's not that useful and they tend to be large chunks of heavy metal, but you may as well use it if it's on
I agree with pulling it off, it's not that useful and they tend to be large chunks of heavy metal, but you may as well use it if it's on
