Bike set up

linsen

Now, I am sure you are all cleverer than me and have done this, but I went to my LBS and got my bike set up checked today.

He put the saddle up by an embarassing amount, forward as far as it would go and changed the angle. He flipped the stem and is ordering me a shorter one.

I took it for a spin and all of a sudden I felt like I was less tense, could breathe better and my legs did the work.

I should have done this about 2000 miles ago....

If you haven't done it, I would strongly recommend you do!

(Public service announcement and advert for LBS' everywhere now over - have a good day )

always_tyred

Figures - women tend to have shorter bodies and longer legs.

Its not that obvious, don't worry. You going to stop moaning about sciatica now?

sarajoy

Nice one.

I wonder about my set-up myself but the shop I got my bike from seemed a bit vague about bike-fitting. Anyone know where's good for this sort of thing in Bristol?

jonginge

Mind how you go. Rapid increases in saddle height can cause knee problems; tendons take a while to get with the program.

doog442

Always Tyred wrote:

Figures - women tend to have shorter bodies and longer legs.

Its not that obvious, don't worry. You going to stop moaning about sciatica now?

you may find increasing the saddle height will aggravate the sciatica. Normal procedure for sciatica sufferers is to lower the saddle and raise the drops.

m0scs

Out of interest (if you dont mind saying) how much do they charge for doing this?

Im forever experimenting with seat angle, height etc. It would be nice for someone who knew what they were doing did this for me.

always_tyred

doog442 wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

Figures - women tend to have shorter bodies and longer legs.

Its not that obvious, don't worry. You going to stop moaning about sciatica now?

you may find increasing the saddle height will aggravate the sciatica. Normal procedure for sciatica sufferers is to lower the saddle and raise the drops.

Ish. The amount of reach and bar height is the better thing to play with. Which has been done as well.

Good point re-knees. Beware hyperextension.

linsen

Hmm. I think it is okay, but I will ride it a bit and see - saddle may be a smidge too high now but as he has put it forward too the net effect won't be so great.

As for the tendons - my physio has given me an extensive stretching program so I am all achey anyway at the moment. I am not exactly doing much riding, not until I stop being so ouchy.

moan moan...

As for cost - I have no idea yet, as I am waiting on a stem before I pay the bill.

greg66_tri_v2.0

So now try this: measure your inseam with a book, a wall and a close personal friend (lits and DDD know about this - separately, not together, if you get my meaning - pm them for the details) and multiply it by 0.833.

Now, how close is that to distance from the centre of the BB to the surface of your saddle, measured along the seat tube?

linsen

I'll let you know when I have access to a close personal friend

Where precisely do I put the book?

always_tyred

linsen wrote:

I'll let you know when I have access to a close personal friend

Where precisely do I put the book?

You burn it to prevent the pollution of young minds.

What book was it exactly?

linsen

Well, if forced to choose one now I have "the World of Jeeves" by PG Wodehouse to hand.....

always_tyred

linsen wrote:

Well, if forced to choose one now I have "the World of Jeeves" by PG Wodehouse to hand.....

You should definitely burn that. Unhealthy adult male relationship.

greg66_tri_v2.0

linsen wrote:

I'll let you know when I have access to a close personal friend

Where precisely do I put the book?

Aww, see, now if I tell you that, I'll get blamed for corrupting (another) mind.

DDD or lits will be along soon to explain....