Does an inch make all the difference?

[Brandane]

No, not the question I would ask the GF, but a serious query re saddle height.

I posted a couple of months back regarding a hip problem (post) which I put down to an off on black ice and landing on my left hip. However, I am now getting the same problem with my RIGHT hip. Have done a bit of internet research and the thing that keeps cropping up is saddle too high. I had the saddle set so that my leg was just about completely straight with my heel on the pedal at the bottom of the pedal stroke. I thought that was correct, as per Sheldon Brown. However having re-read the section on his site re saddle height, it would appear to be more a matter of trial and error.

Today I dropped my saddle height by an inch, and it felt really odd when pedaling (as if not getting my legs straightened enough); but then it WOULD, after having got used to the previous height. All I can do is give it some time to see if it improves matters. Only thing is, I read that if saddle height is too LOW, then I can look forward to knee problems instead! So is messing about with things an inch or even half an inch (1 or 2 cm to our younger members!) at a time going to produce results or do I need to be more brutal with the adjustments?

 

[tyred]

Personally, I would move it no more than a 1/4" at a time. An inch is a big jump.

Edit: I was toooo slooowwwwww

 

[biggs682]

what about moving saddle backwards or forwards on the stem as well as up and down as that will change the angle ?

 

[mcshroom]

what about moving saddle backwards or forwards on the stem as well as up and down as that will change the angle ?

How about turning the saddle round the other way that would really confuse 'em

An inch really could make a difference. I set up my new bike too high recently, only by about 1/2" and after long rides my ankles and Achilles tendons both really
hurt. Dropping the saddle a little seems to have solved it

 

[VamP]

An inch is a huge amount when it comes to saddle position. Just to illustrate, I just had a position video analysis done, to try and cure a problem I have with my lateral hamstring tendon. Ended up moving the sadle 3mm forward. Combined with a small adjustment to my cleat this resulted in a wonky pedalstroke on my right leg almost entirely eliminated. I would never have believed it had i not seen the impact slowed down on the video.

Take that wonky pedalstroke, and multiply by 30 000 revolutions which is what you'll do in a century ride. Tiny adjustments get vastly amplified.

When it comes to saddle adjustments - milimeters matter.

 

[cyberknight]

[quote="
When it comes to saddle adjustments - milimeters matter.[/quote]

+1

My saddle felt low when i went for a ride on Monday , compared to my commuter the saddle was 3mm lower and it felt like i was bouncing on the saddle.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

As others have said you only need to to adjust the saddle by fractions of an inch, if you start at a straight but not stretched leg with the heel on the pedal then adjust the saddle by a fraction of an inch at a time until you are comfortable.


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