The seat height

freehub
freehub Posts: 4,257
edited August 2010 in Workshop
Hi.

So I'm on my old bike now after writing my awesome CAAD9 off, I've set it up myself.

The pic of me on ryedale rumble (looking like a tramp I know), has being conveniently took with the crank facing directly vertical. From this does it look like my seat is ok and that my bike fit looks fine? I took my time to get the measurements off my CAAD9 to make it hopefully fit correctly.

http://martin.photium.com/photo5861942.html#photo

Comments

  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    I'd lower that seat an inch.
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    And get your hair cut. :)
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    An inch? fo real??????????????

    I'm letting my hair grow till October.
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    Maybe half to begin with then, and see how you feel. Def looks a tad high to me at the moment.

    And for Christ's sake wash those socks.
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    Smokin Joe wrote:
    Maybe half to begin with then, and see how you feel. Def looks a tad high to me at the moment.

    And for Christ's sake wash those socks.

    That's just the color of them lol.

    I'll give it a try, I was hoping people may say it is too low or something, does not feel too high, In fact on the bike I was thinking maybe it felt abit low.

    What makes you think it looks too high, the amount of bend in the leg or the amount my foot is pointing down?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    freehub wrote:

    What makes you think it looks too high, the amount of bend in the leg or the amount my foot is pointing down?

    Both Will, defo too high.

    Try moving down slightly, you may then find that you are too far forward so you may end up moving back slightly too...
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    edited August 2010
    How does it feel?

    But I would agree it looks a little high. If your foot was flat or your heel dropped with the knee bend angle shown, then maybe not. But it looks like you're stretching for the pedal.
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    Could it be why I always seem to get cramp in my toes in my left shoe?

    I know my left leg is 2cm shorter than my right, which means it could technically be the correct height, well for my right leg, I might go bike shop tomoz see if they have any wedges in.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    TBH I thought it looked about right! Does it feel OK?
  • chriskempton
    chriskempton Posts: 1,245
    Position looks only a fraction too high to me. I believe the knee angle at the bottom of the stroke should be around 30 degrees and it looks like you're a bit straighter than this. PS why are you carrying a spare tyre (it doesn't look like a tub) around with you?
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    chriskempton wrote:
    PS why are you carrying a spare tyre (it doesn't look like a tub) around with you?

    That's a great setup by Chris right there... someone boot it out of the park, I'm not getting involved this time.
    :lol:
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • chriskempton
    chriskempton Posts: 1,245
    Did I miss something previously? :lol:
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    I was wondering the same thing, but didn't dare ask :wink:
    More problems but still living....
  • Chris James
    Chris James Posts: 1,040
    I'd say you look too high too. Not least because you appear to be stretching for the pedal slightly and the crank isn't even lined up with the seat tube (i..e pedal isn't in furthest away position).

    I'd knock it down at leat thalf an inch.

    Having said that, I seem to recall Sheldon Brown saying the highest position that doesn't injure you is the most efficient (I may be paraphrasing!).

    Are you rocking on the saddle? Do the back of your knees hurt?
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    Chris James wrote:
    I'd say you look too high too. Not least because you appear to be stretching for the pedal slightly and the crank isn't even lined up with the seat tube (i..e pedal isn't in furthest away position).

    I'd knock it down at leat thalf an inch.

    Having said that, I seem to recall Sheldon Brown saying the highest position that doesn't injure you is the most efficient (I may be paraphrasing!).

    Are you rocking on the saddle? Do the back of your knees hurt?

    The back of my knees don't hurt, I do get knee pain, but changing the saddle height to anything has never sorted it, I've got worn cartilage and using my knee just irritates it sometimes, just need to rest it from time to time and not push big gears on hills.

    I am gonna go out experiment, I'll start by lowering it half a cm at a time, I hate moving my seat backwards or forwards cause it's such a faff, but I'll give it a try.
  • carrock
    carrock Posts: 1,103
    looks to me as though the frame size is too small, and/or it has a woman's geometry, ie a short top tube.

    Plus the too high saddle makes the saddle to bar drop even worse
  • Garz
    Garz Posts: 1,155
    I don't think the height is too far off IMO, especially if that leg is shorter you could sort it with a wedge and as little as a cm drop.
  • ADIHEAD
    ADIHEAD Posts: 575
    LMFAO :D Too High, it's fine, Womans frame :twisted:

    How anyone can judge from one 2d photo is beyond me :roll: Do you get back ache, knee ache, do your hips rock? If no to these just leave it and enjoy it :lol:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    ADIHEAD wrote:
    Do you get back ache, knee ache, do your hips rock?

    It's yes to all 3...
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    If you want to see some serious FAILS hve a scroll through the Rydale Rumble gallery Wil links to :lol:
    More problems but still living....
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Does not look bad to me Will. Do you normally ride toes down a bit? Many including me do. You seem to have a reasonable amount of bend at the knee. The main thing to consider is does your pelvis rock when pedaling. If so then the saddle is too high. If it is steady and you feel comfortable then leave well alone. I set mine by moving the saddle up until I started to rock and then backing off till it stopped. If I lower it as little as 5mm from this I get pain round my upper knee and quads on long rides. If you do move it do not go more than 5mm at a time and try that for a couple of rides before going further. It can not be far out. You did get round the Rumble in one piece.
    My Fleet.
  • carrock
    carrock Posts: 1,103
    ADIHEAD wrote:
    LMFAO :D Too High, it's fine, Womans frame :twisted:

    How anyone can judge from one 2d photo is beyond me :roll: Do you get back ache, knee ache, do your hips rock? If no to these just leave it and enjoy it :lol:

    Didn't mean it in a derogatory sense- just looks like my wife's Ruby- ie short top tube

    Be interested to know what the frame size is, and how tall you are

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