saddle and seat post height

[mikeruss]

Its probably been discussed before, but i am getting slight back pain and constant ache in my thighs when pedalling, i assume its the height and position of my saddle and seat post, can anyone give straight forward advice on solving the problem.

 

[MikeW-71]

Most likely the saddle is too low.

To get a good starting place: Sit on the saddle and put your heel on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke. If your leg isn't straight (without stretching it), raise the saddle until it is. Then you should have a slight bend in the leg when you put your foot back into proper position on the pedal.

The saddle needs to be much higher than a lot of people think, but the correct height will let you deliver the most power you can to the pedals.

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^ +1

 

[ianrauk]

Click HERE for some helpful info

 

[themosquitoking]

Keep raising the saddle little by little until you get it too high, testing with a little ride, then when it's too high drop it back a little bit. Too high should be obvious and saddle height isn't as related to being able to put your feet on the floor while on the saddle as you might hope.

 

[Kevoffthetee]

I went down the easy route and 2 rides in I'm quite happy. 109% to start, test then lower 5mm at a time until I'm not stretching for the SPD pedals from the saddle.

 

[oldroadman]

Alternative method for basic position. Inside leg to floor in bare feet. Multiply by 0.883, which should be the distance from centre of bottom bracket to top of saddle. Fore and aft start with 5cm behind the perpendicular from the centre of the bottom bracket axle. This should give more or less the same result as the "109%" method. The 0.883 calculation as used by Bernard Hinault as a starting point then tweaked for things like thigh length compared to overall leg until it all worked for hours of riding. He knew a thing or two about position and winning the odd Tour de France or two!