Bike setup guide?

girv73
girv73 Posts: 842
edited December 2008 in Commuting chat
Anyone got a good link for a "how to set up your bike" guide? I'm talking about saddle position, seat post length etc. so the bike is comfortable and "right".

I'm concerned that I've my saddle in an odd position or the bike is a little too small for me on the top tube, and that's leading to the recurring hip pains I've been experiencing. I'd like to read something by someone who knows what they're talking about in this area so I can rule out the bike setup as a possible cause.
Today is a good day to ride

Comments

  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    I found this article very useful

    http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/articl ... ight-14608

    I used the 109% calculation, and it seems to pretty spot on
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    I adjusted until it felt right - I don't get any pain, though my seat is quite high and my bars are quite low!
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    With regards to saddle height, I use a piece of string cut to length and use this for all bikes I have. not to sure if this would work if I had a road/hybrid frame but it works for MTBs I've ridden/ride.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • pbt150
    pbt150 Posts: 316
    I used:
    http://greatadventuresports.com/page.cfm?PageID=479
    combined a bit with 'that doesn't feel quite right'...

    It might be a bit roadie specific, but I'm sure you can use it to get a good fit no matter what you ride.
    FTT
    Specialized Allez
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/49364032@N03/4820302085/
    Steel bike http://www.flickr.com/photos/49364032@N03/4656318147
  • girv73
    girv73 Posts: 842
    @Rich158 for that 109% method, do you measure from the pedal axle when it's at the lowest point?
    Today is a good day to ride
  • glebrus
    glebrus Posts: 44
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness.php? ... e_position

    http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/

    look for The anatomy of bike positioning
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    I clipped my shoe in first and measured to the footbed with the pedal at its lowest point, not that I'm anal about these things :wink:

    Just remeber it's easier to put your foot back into the shoe and clip out, trying to removed the shoe by hand is near on impossible, fool :oops:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    redvee wrote:
    With regards to saddle height, I use a piece of string cut to length and use this for all bikes I have. not to sure if this would work if I had a road/hybrid frame but it works for MTBs I've ridden/ride.

    Is the string the length of the seatpost outof the seat tube? or from top of seat to another fixed point?
  • girv73
    girv73 Posts: 842
    Quick update:

    I've frobbed my setup now along the 88.3% guidelines given in the BikeRadar link above and the saddle & other position information in the other links, and been for a couple of commutes in the new geometry. It feels a bit weird, I guess just as I'm not used to it, but I think it's working out to be a lot more comfortable and the hip pain I had been experiencing seems to be fading away :)

    I'm off the bike the rest of this week with one thing and another so I'll be getting a good rest to let the hip recover fully. Next week will be the real test, to see if it gets sore again...

    Cheers guys & gals!
    Today is a good day to ride

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