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leg extesion

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Old 02-09-11 | 03:17 PM
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leg extesion

I've been playing with my saddle height the last few days. Sheldon Brown says to ride a bit, raise it, ride some more, raise it and do this until you can hardly reach the pedals. At that point, repeat the same process but this time lowering the seat post until your leg is nearly completely straight with a super slight bend.

Weird **** is, my saddle is seriously like an inch higher after doing this and my legs are almost straight but it feels super uncomfortable/awkward. Maybe just because I'm not used to it? I never had any aches/pains in my knees before but I just want to make sure I'm getting the best peddle stroke possible.
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Old 02-09-11 | 03:29 PM
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Fitment is definitely key. My general consensus is yes, set it to where your leg is nearly straight. Also, if you place your heel on the pedal, with the pedal at the 6oclock position, you should be able to reach. You know you're set too high if your arse jiggles around when you pedal.
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Old 02-09-11 | 03:38 PM
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Old 02-09-11 | 04:28 PM
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So on a new bike like that with a seat post with no angle adjustment you have to just buy a post with a different angle?!?!

Or leave it alone I suppose.
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Old 02-09-11 | 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Motopecane
So on a new bike like that with a seat post with no angle adjustment you have to just buy a post with a different angle?!?!

Or leave it alone I suppose.
All seatposts, even the very cheapest ones, have some sort of angle adjustment.
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Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
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Old 02-09-11 | 04:53 PM
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If you are talking about flipping it around then yes otherwise no some of them don't. I have one that does not it came off a '90s Raleigh Technium.
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Old 02-09-11 | 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Motopecane
If you are talking about flipping it around then yes otherwise no some of them don't. I have one that does not it came off a '90s Raleigh Technium.
No, I'm not talking about "flipping" it. In 45 years of riding bicycles, I've never seen a seatpost/seat clamp that had zero capability for tilt angle adjustment, and when looking for seatposts online I've never seen such an animal. You must have one that is truly unique.
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Old 02-09-11 | 05:39 PM
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I think he is talking "setback" angle, not seat angle.
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Old 02-09-11 | 07:58 PM
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Hahahah TT... you love that bike fitment video.

I don't blame you. His voice is very calming.
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Old 02-09-11 | 08:10 PM
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Lower your saddle until, with your heel fully lowered, you still have a 15 degree bend in your knee.

When your heel feels fully lowered to you, your foot will appear level to an observer.
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Old 02-09-11 | 08:35 PM
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Yeah I guess I am used to the angle change you can get with traditional seat clamps that you can literally tilt the seat. The Raleigh one I have is probably a very slight angle but honestly I tried it both ways and when turned around the seat would be shooting the stars!

Last edited by Motopecane; 02-09-11 at 08:41 PM.
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Old 02-09-11 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Motopecane
Yeah I guess I am used to the angle change you can get with traditional seat clamps that you can literally tilt the seat. The Raleigh one I have is probably a very slight angle but honestly I tried it both ways and when turned around the seat would be shooting the stars!
Dude I still have no idea what you're talking about. Every seatpost I've ever seen allows for significant tilt adjustment. Post a picture of it. If you have some evil seatpost that doesn't adjust, I'd like to see it.
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Old 02-09-11 | 09:10 PM
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Ah-ha! I feel stupid now I took a closer look at it and the clamp slides on the post about 1cm up or down a curved surface.

My bad, moving on then!
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Old 02-09-11 | 09:16 PM
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That video is creepy. His voice is too welcoming.
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Old 02-09-11 | 11:41 PM
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Originally Posted by evilcryalotmore
That video is creepy. His voice is too welcoming.
Little child, would you like to come to my van for a piece of candy?
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