Changing Positions on the bike

[jonny jeez]

A wise cycling excusiast once advised me that if I was going to change the set-up of my bike in any way that would effect the geometry, then I should do so in very small amounts.

I thought an inch and a half was a small amount.

I was wrong

I lifted my seatpost this morning by an inch...maybe an inch and a half. I felt I was too low and that my knees were starting to feel the strain.

WOW.

My ar5e now aches in a new and totally different way.Knees are fine though...so...that's good.

 

[cyberknight]

I can tell when i change my saddle position by a few mm up/down or fore /aft .

My set up is dialled in now and i am so paranoid about it i have it all measured and written down so both road bikes have exactly the same set up and they even have the same saddle so in theory i can jump from one to the other with no problems.

Currently using an exercise bike i got for free as i only get chance for a half hour blast a day atm , the set up is cack as they assume that people will pedal with their knees touching their elbows and even with the seat on max it is still about an inch to low with the saddle set back no where near what i want and i had to tweak the tension cable inside to give it decent resistance.It feels uncomfortable but at leats its better than nothing.

 

[BentMikey]

*snigger* Bend over, jonny. :P

 

[Terry Kay]

What a coincidence.. Been slowly raising my seat since I started commuting back in November.. I'm finding the higher I get the better and easier an the legs it is and the worse for my backside!
At least its not just me!

 

[BlackPanther]

I did feel a bit of soreness in the muscles the day after upping my seat, but it went away the following day and never returned.

This brings up an interesting subject. Would it be wise to adjust the riding position (whilst staying within comfortable range) to ensure different muscles are used?

I tend to have the odd day when I intentionally stay in a high gear so I get a 'grinding' session every few days. If you're cycling for fitness, this method really does give you a different kind of workout, albeit a slightly slower ride.

 

[Blue]

If you raise your saddle by a lot you should also be looking at fore/aft and stem hgt, otherwise you are altering more than leg extension - which may explain the new area of discomfort.

 

[Blue]

I did feel a bit of soreness in the muscles the day after upping my seat, but it went away the following day and never returned.

This brings up an interesting subject. Would it be wise to adjust the riding position (whilst staying within comfortable range) to ensure different muscles are used?

I tend to have the odd day when I intentionally stay in a high gear so I get a 'grinding' session every few days. If you're cycling for fitness, this method really does give you a different kind of workout, albeit a slightly slower ride.

That's called adaptation and it's quite normal

 

[RoadieT]

I upped my saddle an inch or so, so so much easier now feels miles better and my bum is fine!!!

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

?

 

[jonny jeez]

?

Interesting...helpful little article this, it appears my seat is also in the wrong spot...which explains why I often slide forward a little when riding.

Thanks

 

[paddy01]

Just be aware there's such a thing as too high

If your hips are rocking when you peddle it's too high and it's not the most efficient transfer of energy from you through the bike into forward motion.

Happy experimenting

Paddy