Saddle Position

Peddle Up!
Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
edited July 2010 in Road beginners
Apologies for what is probably a perennial question, but how do I determine the correct fore-and-aft position for my saddle. The advice I've been given is to adjust it until 2it feels comfortable", but it feels relatively OK at most of the possible settings. Is there a more methodical approach to getting the position right?
Purveyor of "up" :)

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Trial and Error is by far the accurate method, unless you go for an expensive Retul fit IMO.
    I like bikes...

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  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    If it feels OK, why do you need to change it?

    If you are not getting numb "bits" or sliding to the front of the saddle, you're probably OK IMO.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Although there is no exact science behind it, a good starting position often suggested is when your knee is over the pedal spindle when the pedal is furthest forward. (Google k.o.p.s.)

    More precisely, the little bony lump just below the kneecap, vertically above the pedal spindle.

    Make sure your saddle height is correct first, and if you have to move the saddle very far forwards or backwards you may have to adjust saddle height again to compensate.

    Ignore all this if you're setting up a TT or triathlon bike, unicycle or recumbent. :D
  • Mike67
    Mike67 Posts: 585
    keef66 wrote:
    Although there is no exact science behind it, a good starting position often suggested is when your knee is over the pedal spindle when the pedal is furthest forward. (Google k.o.p.s.)

    More precisely, the little bony lump just below the kneecap, vertically above the pedal spindle.

    Make sure your saddle height is correct first, and if you have to move the saddle very far forwards or backwards you may have to adjust saddle height again to compensate.

    Ignore all this if you're setting up a TT or triathlon bike, unicycle or recumbent. :D

    Don't do what I did and perform this exercise with your foot parallel to the ground if/when in fact you pedal with your toes down like me.

    I eventually went for a bikefit and it turned out that with my foot in its natural pedalling position my knee was at least one inch forward of the pedal axle...this was soon remedied amongst other bad set up issues on my part.

    The bikefit used more complex methods than the knee over the axle technique (lasers, big protractor thingy etc) but it's a good place to start.
    Mike B

    Cannondale CAAD9
    Kinesis Pro 5 cross bike
    Lots of bits

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