seat height

[tappers]

i am still trying to get the seat height correct on my new boardman MTX 8.8 i just can't seem to get it right, i'm 5' 11'' tall, inside leg is 31'' any suggestions !!!

 

[Milzy]

Place your heel in the middle of the pedal and have a slight bend in the knee. Remember too high is worse than too low.

 

[Paulus]

Place your heel in the middle of the pedal and have a slight bend in the knee. Remember too high is worse than too low.

I would slightly disagree, with the heel on the pedal at the six o'clock position, ie bottom, the leg should be straight. With the ball of the foot on the pedal at the same position then there should be a slight bend in the leg.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I can't remember which brand it was, but while looking at ebikes online, one brand has a size guide and saddle height not based on the common three methods...

It asked for my shin length, just below kneecap to middle of ankle.

Iirc 39.5cm gave a suggested height of 71.5cm from bottom bracket centre to top of saddle, which is a little lower than the ~89.5cm pedal platform top to saddle top I normally use (I always thought latter 109% inseam was with crank in line with seat tube, Google suggests it's another done at 0600)!

Thought it was from Trek Domane official site, but can't see it now.

 

[VinSumRox]

I would slightly disagree, with the heel on the pedal at the six o'clock position, ie bottom, the leg should be straight. With the ball of the foot on the pedal at the same position then there should be a slight bend in the leg.

That

 

[davidphilips]

As Milzy said, too high is worse than too low, all the above is good advice and should be close if not perfect but depending on if you cycle toe or heel down and if both you leggs are same lengh perhaps fine adjustment of a few mms up or down?

 

[Webbo2]

Similar to what Paulus said heel on pedal and pedal backwards without your hips rocking, is a good starting point. Adjust from there.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

I use the goniometer method on all my bikes and never had an issue.

 

[cyberknight]

I can't remember which brand it was, but while looking at ebikes online, one brand has a size guide and saddle height not based on the common three methods...

It asked for my shin length, just below kneecap to middle of ankle.

Iirc 39.5cm gave a suggested height of 71.5cm from bottom bracket centre to top of saddle, which is a little lower than the ~89.5cm pedal platform top to saddle top I normally use (I always thought latter 109% inseam was with crank in line with seat tube, Google suggests it's another done at 0600)!

Thought it was from Trek Domane official site, but can't see it now.

i always found the 109% method gives me a lower height than what heel on pedal and the lemond .883 method gives me which is what i have my saddle height set at .

 

[PaulSB]

Aim for 10-12% bend in your knee. Go for a ride, take the appropriate size Allen key with you and make adjustments till you feel comfortable.

Is you saddle position correct? I'm not certain but I feel if your saddle position is wrong it could be very difficult to get the seat height correct.

 

[VinSumRox]

I usually get the saddle height roughly right , then get fore and aft adjusted ( I go for knee joint over pedal spindle when cranks are horizontal). After that fine adjust the height.
If you can't get comfortable is the bike the right size for you?

 

[Webbo2]

What I see gentleman of a certain age and size on their bikes, it usually too low a saddle position unless they’ve all been John Wayne in a past life.😉