saddle height..
- Thread starter Kookas
- Start date
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the_mikey
Legendary Member
- Location
- South Gloucestershire
The formula won't take into account variations in bicycle geometry, crank arm length or pedal/shoe/cleat stack height, although I suspect something has been misinterpreted either in providing measurements to the formula or transferring the output into a saddle position.
I prefer to set the saddle height during a ride so I can test it and make small adjustments until it feels right.
I prefer to set the saddle height during a ride so I can test it and make small adjustments until it feels right.
Probably. The articles never provide a diagram on how exactly to measure saddle height - so I just assume I measure from the crank axle to the very top of the saddle, including the slight angle from their different widths.
How do you know whether it needs to be raised or lowered?
the_mikey
Legendary Member
- Location
- South Gloucestershire
I go for the highest setting that is comfortable, doesn't cause my hips to roll from side to side and legs are comfortable, not stretching to reach the pedals, also allowing me to power the full 360 degrees of the pedal cycle, not just up / down.
Joshua Plumtree
Approaching perfection from a distance.
As above. Trial and error.
Sore nether regions = saddle too high; knees banging against your chest = too low!
Sore nether regions = saddle too high; knees banging against your chest = too low!
Try sitting on your bike wearing flattish shoes (no prominent heals). Put your heal on the pedal, over the pedal axle and adjust the saddle height so that your leg is dead straight when at 6 O'clock. Then assuming you pedal with the ball of the foot over the pedal axle, it should be just about right, with your leg just a little bent at the knee when the pedal is at the furthest point down.
But don't expect to be able to touch the floor when sitting.
Cheers Keith
But don't expect to be able to touch the floor when sitting.
Cheers Keith
DiddlyDodds
Random Resident
- Location
- Littleborough
I always use the Greg Lemond formula of - Inside leg to the floor (not wearing shoes) and multiplied by .883 and then measured along the the angle of the seat tube from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle
Seems to work for me , this gives approx. 96% of the full extension of the leg
Seems to work for me , this gives approx. 96% of the full extension of the leg
DiddlyDodds
Random Resident
- Location
- Littleborough
See attached , this gives you 74cm from centre of bottom bracket to top of saddle
http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/lemonds-sizing-chart.html
Is that measurement diagonal, or what? I tried 74cm and it was way too low.
One flaw in the Greg table is using a measurement based from the centre of the bottom bracket. Crank lengths vary normally from 165 to 175 and exceptions go beyond this. I've been riding with short cranks all last year, down to 145mm cranks and I raised my saddle by almost 3 cm. But the table is as good as any to set a baseline, from which you can experiment.
Incidentally short cranks are really good to ride with - anybody else tried them?
Keith
Incidentally short cranks are really good to ride with - anybody else tried them?
Keith
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
marzjennings
Legendary Member
- Location
- Houston, Texas, USA
I've always used the heel on pedal method. Seems to work ok.
maltloaf
Senior Member
- Location
- Gloucester
I tried a few methods including lemond but they all feel too low. I have my saddle about 5cm higher and it feels perfect, good leg extension and no excessive hip/body rotation.
DiddlyDodds
Random Resident
- Location
- Littleborough
Yes its not correct is it ......
I just realised its not the crank its centre of the pedal spindle that the measurement is from.
I know when i measure my inside leg to the floor x .0883 is the measurement from the pedal to the seat.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Both methods give me pretty much the same measurement
All measurements are subject to a bit of variation anyway , my seat height is 4 mm above the .883 which is closer to the .889 Cobb fit .
I found this recently based on the hinault bike fitting .
http://www.strawberrybicycle.com/sizing.htm
And your just to tall , my inseam is 77.5 cm cus i am a sort harse
