Position on saddle

[Deleted member 1258]

Whenever I climb or accelerate I seem to position myself on the very front of the saddle, it seems to help when climbing and I can put more power down to go faster. Is my setup wrong i.e. saddle too far back or maybe cleats in the wrong position.

I don't think its anything to worry about, its just something that some riders do when they're trying for max power, its something I do, and I've seen other riders do it as well.

 

[cyberknight]

By moving forward on the saddle you're effectively lowering its height, so perhaps your saddle is too high to begin with.
FWIW I always seem to generate more power when hill climbing sitting further back on the saddle. Opposite is true for TTing.

My thoughts exactly .

 

[derrick]

T

Whenever I climb or accelerate I seem to position myself on the very front of the saddle, it seems to help when climbing and I can put more power down to go faster. Is my setup wrong i.e. saddle too far back or maybe cleats in the wrong position.

That's how i ride, So don't worry about it if your comfortable

 

[Andywinds]

It's not uncomfortable I just wondered why I liked that position

T

That's how i ride, So don't worry about it if your comfortable

 

[oldroadman]

By moving forward on the saddle you're effectively lowering its height, so perhaps your saddle is too high to begin with.
FWIW I always seem to generate more power when hill climbing sitting further back on the saddle. Opposite is true for TTing.

Depending on speed, effort, length of climb, things can vary. Generally on a longer climb sit back a bit and let the gear spin. Also consider that the saddle should (mostly) support pelvic bones, and minimise the time spent without that support unless you want to end up feeling numb round the bits and pieces.
Keep the saddle more or less flat, excessive slope forward will make you slide down it and sit in the wrong spot, and also strain the back muscles holding your body up the slope. A bike fit might prove very useful, because something may be just a few mm out, but could make so much difference.

 

[Andywinds]

I'm thinking of having a bike fit done. Just don't want to be told the frame is too small.

 

[derrick]

Just been looking at pics from some of the tours, Seems like a lot of riders sit on the front.

 

[oldjontrev]

Have you got a photo of you on the bike ?

 

[Andywinds]

No sadly not and don't think it would be the most aesthetically pleasing picture. If I can persuade my wife to take one I will upload.

Have you got a photo of you on the bike ?

 

[oldroadman]

Just been looking at pics from some of the tours, Seems like a lot of riders sit on the front.

Notice what's happening, the front rider is in close to maximum effort - as a cropped picture it's hard to tell but it could be the early part of a break when putting some time into the peloton is priority, before settling into a more sustainable pace. Then everyone sits back a little. You simply can't ride (or race) 200+ km sitting on the nose of the saddle, unless you enjoy a tender undercarriage (or worse). The pelvic bones need to be supported to avoid excessive compression of soft tissue. Females generally have a wider pelvis, hence female specific saddles are a bit wider at the contact point for pelvic bones. So, use manageable gears, sit back and enjoy more.

 

[oldroadman]

One other thought, check saddle height with ORM's (as used by M. Hinault and many others). Measure inside leg to floor (bare feet). Multiply by 0.883. The result should give a basic measurement for centre of axle to top of a flat saddle. Fore and aft depends on build, but generally about 50mm back from the vertical through the axle is a good starting point. Check against current settings, and if there is any variation try adjusting one thing at a time, and only by small amounts. You'll arrive at a comfortable position where power can be applied with patience.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

View attachment 107542

the boy Cavedish giving it the beans.

A dodgy bike salesman sold him a bike too small for him I think

 

[Dec66]

I'm all over the place on the saddle.

I have a simple flow chart which I tend to follow, which I can't publish here, but if you know that the first decision box is "do my arse bones hurt?" you probably get the gist.

 

[derrick]

Notice what's happening, the front rider is in close to maximum effort - as a cropped picture it's hard to tell but it could be the early part of a break when putting some time into the peloton is priority, before settling into a more sustainable pace. Then everyone sits back a little. You simply can't ride (or race) 200+ km sitting on the nose of the saddle, unless you enjoy a tender undercarriage (or worse). The pelvic bones need to be supported to avoid excessive compression of soft tissue. Females generally have a wider pelvis, hence female specific saddles are a bit wider at the contact point for pelvic bones. So, use manageable gears, sit back and enjoy more.

I know you would not ride 200+k on the front of the saddle, I think the pic shows a slight incline, It just seems quite a few people sit on the front whilst climbing, There is probably a few out there who don't realize they are doing it, I remember a long time ago someone telling me to slide back on the saddle when climbing. That i just find does not work for me.

 

[oldroadman]

I'm all over the place on the saddle.

I have a simple flow chart which I tend to follow, which I can't publish here, but if you know that the first decision box is "do my arse bones hurt?" you probably get the gist.