Setting the bike up

JimboM

Hi all

Picked up a my (new to me) bike today. Anyone got any guides/tips on how best to set saddle and bars for maximum comfort

Cheers

jim

pmerryman

I think this is all in the rider. Try a few positions, tosee what suits best.

FlyingMawanga

Try these?

http://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

http://sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html


Worth a try.

robertpb

If you get your saddle right then the rest usually comes to you over extensive riding.

I suggest to start with a saddle hight, inside leg measurement plus 9%, so if your inside leg is 31" the saddle ends up at 34" measured from the top of the pedal to the top of the saddle.

Most of the time this will give you a good starting point, I'm 5' 5" with a 31" inside and I have have my saddle at 34" or within 1/2" for donkeys years.

dave_hill

JimboM wrote:

Hi all

Picked up a my (new to me) bike today. Anyone got any guides/tips on how best to set saddle and bars for maximum comfort

Cheers

jim

Did you buy it at a shop? Did they offer to help you get it set up properly?

If not, take it back and get them to help you. But don't do it on a Saturday morning for obvious reasons.

mac_man

JimboM wrote:

Hi all

Picked up a my (new to me) bike today. Anyone got any guides/tips on how best to set saddle and bars for maximum comfort

Cheers

jim

Simplest way of setting saddle height?

Try this...

When you are sitting on the saddle whilst stationary, place the heel of your foot onto the pedal. Your leg should be comfortably straight, or just marginally bent. This means that when you place the ball of your foot on the pedal, when riding, you get max power from your pedal action.

Alternatively.... the saddle should be about an inch lower than the top of your hip bone ie the bit that sticks out.

dave_hill

mac man wrote:

Alternatively.... the saddle should be about an inch lower than the top of your hip bone ie the bit that sticks out.

That won't work.

It might for you, but the OP's bike is probably different, therefore the bottom bracket will be at a different height above the floor, therefore yada yada yada....

robertpb

dave_hill wrote:

mac man wrote:

Alternatively.... the saddle should be about an inch lower than the top of your hip bone ie the bit that sticks out.

That won't work.

It might for you, but the OP's bike is probably different, therefore the bottom bracket will be at a different height above the floor, therefore yada yada yada....

Agree there, tried it out my hip bone is 1" lower than the saddle, so if I used mac man method I'd be 2" out.

mac_man

dave_hill wrote:

mac man wrote:

Alternatively.... the saddle should be about an inch lower than the top of your hip bone ie the bit that sticks out.

That won't work.

It might for you, but the OP's bike is probably different, therefore the bottom bracket will be at a different height above the floor, therefore yada yada yada....

My method 1 is the one I use, and was recommended to me by a local trail guide.

The 2nd one was more of a quick 'ready reckoner'.

JimboM

Thanks for the tips guys

I had my saddle at what I thought was a good height, but all the above suggested it was too low, raised it up an inch or 2 and instantly the ride was more comfortable.

Next I think I'll play around with tilting it up or down to see if that makes as much of a difference.

Cheers

Jim

The Northern Monkey

took about 3 rides to get my bike set up perfect.

IMO geting a bike set up in a shop is pointless. Once on the trail it can feel completely different.
oh and don't forget to set your forks and shock for rider weight/riding style. and brake lever reach. and brake/gear lever positions. etc.

buduk

bigbenj_08 wrote:

oh and don't forget to set your forks and bars for rider weight/riding style. and brake lever reach. and brake/gear lever positions. etc.

jeez got the seat set how the heck i set this for rider weight =heavy riding style =slow brake levers ok gears could do with a adjustment ??? gonna have to read this forum even more than i am now keeps me of pron sites suppose

The Northern Monkey

buduk
1st things 1st... whats the bike?!

buduk

bigbenj_08 wrote:

buduk
1st things 1st... whats the bike?!

RH expert i'am a noob but surely seat atm will do ?

The Northern Monkey

Just get out and ride it

JimboM

Well my bikes a GT Avalanche 1.0 with RockShox J3 forks

I weigh in at (cough) 92kg but working on that :oops: and at the moment I'm doing pretty gentle stuff mainly bridleways, paths etc

Any tips on setting the shocks much appreciated

Cheers

Jim

nicklouse

set the sag to what you want and the rebound so you dont get thrown off.