Saddle height - I'm bobbing?

xloly
xloly Posts: 140
edited April 2011 in Road beginners
when peddling really fast, I seem to bob in the saddle, I adjusted it the other day but can't get it quite right, is it likely to low or high?

Comments

  • pmannion9
    pmannion9 Posts: 287
    I had similiar problem and found out through bike fit that my saddle was far to low....
    But I guess problem could also be its too high...

    With saddle height I think it is the lesser of two evils to start with the saddle on the high side and gradually lower it until you are comfortable and not losing power...
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Likely to be too low.

    It's too high when you have to rotate your hips to pedal the bottom of the stroke.
    _
  • Frank the tank
    Frank the tank Posts: 6,553
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Likely to be too low.

    It's too high when you have to rotate your hips to pedal the bottom of the stroke.

    I'd agree with that conclusion.
    Tail end Charlie

    The above post may contain traces of sarcasm or/and bullsh*t.
  • peanut1978
    peanut1978 Posts: 1,031
    http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/bikefit/c ... le-height/
  • freddiegrubb
    freddiegrubb Posts: 448
    :?: A start point I've used all my life is sit on the saddle with a pair of trainers or very low heeled shoes on- place heels on the pedals & pedal backwards, checking my knee has a very slight angle left in it. At this point your hips & backside should not roll up or down & as stated previously this is only a start position, ride a few miles & see how it feels then adjust up or down 5mm./time as reqd. It may work for you & best of all hasn't cost you anything. I could have ridden in the 59 TDF. but I had my paper round to do.. shame!!!
  • xloly
    xloly Posts: 140
    freddiegrubb wrote:
    :?: A start point I've used all my life is sit on the saddle with a pair of trainers or very low heeled shoes on- place heels on the pedals & pedal backwards, checking my knee has a very slight angle left in it. At this point your hips & backside should not roll up or down & as stated previously this is only a start position, ride a few miles & see how it feels then adjust up or down 5mm./time as reqd. It may work for you & best of all hasn't cost you anything. I could have ridden in the 59 TDF. but I had my paper round to do.. shame!!!

    As opposed to the high heeled shoes one normally wears eh?

    Cheers for the tips, will have a play around tonight..







    Then adjust the saddle. :P
  • xloly
    xloly Posts: 140
    Turns out I've never adjusted it after googling the question again - I'd better have a go tonight!
    bobobobob
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Once you've got your saddle height correct, you may find that pedalling-induced 'bob' occurs for most cyclists at a particular cadence - if you ask anyone who rides a fixed-gear bike they're probably more aware of it because there's little you can do except to either brake or go faster. As you develop a more fluid pedalling style, you'll probably smooth-out the 'lumps' in your technique such that it will be less apparent. For me it generally occurs around 150rpm, but I know that if I push-through it smooths out at higher revs. BTW I can go quite a bit faster on fixed but it scares the bejesus out of fellow riders.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..

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