Seat Height

rob\'s_lexx

Afternooon all :-)

Just after a bit of advice if possible.

I went out for the first time on my road bike yesterday. The seat height was set for me by the bike supplier and it felt a little low (my legs didn't feel as if they were fully extending) so I raised it and repeated this until it felt suitable. However, the seatpost is currently set at its maximum height position and I still feel like its not quite right.

How extended should my leg be at the bottom of the pedal revolution?

Can any advise whats best to do? Can a longer seatpost be purchased or even different length crank arm?

Thanks in advance

Rob

MikeyO

I'm nowhere near being an expert on bikes but I've always been told that the right height should cause you to be able to just touch the ground enough with your toes so you can maintain your balance when stationary. I could be wrong though.

MikeWW

Sat on the saddle put your heal on the pedal and move crank to lowest position. Leg should be straight without the need to move on the saddle. This will give you a slight flex in the knee joint when you then put your foot in the normal position. Ball of foot on spindle

keef66

You don't need to be able to touch the ground with your toes when seated.

As already mentioned, heel on pedal and leg virtually straight is a good start. Legs should have a 20-30 degree bend at the bottom of the pedal stroke when clipped in and pedalling.

If you keep raising the seat and get to the point that you're rocking your pelvis from side to side you've gone too high.

If you're at the minimum insertion point on your seatpost, either get a longer seatpost, or ask yourself whether you've been sold a bike that's too small for you.

fludey

Two basic methods I have used.
Measure your inseam times this by 1.09 this gives you seat to peddle axle height with crank at 6 o'clock position, thou when I used this method found I needed an extra 2cm on top.
The other method which works best for me is an angle of 28 deg at the knee at full extension....you can buy a proper bit of kit for measuring this but I just asked the mrs to help and used a 28 deg card board template against leg.

What ever you do don't go past the max pos on seat post, get a bigger seat post..mate of mine once went past max pos and the frame snapped.

I would ask thou is the bike too small for you, if your getting close to full height?

cougie

The feet touching the floor thing is rubbish. Maybe if you're a child ?

Hard for us to decide really but if you could post a photo of you on it ?

brin

As above - sounds like you bought wrong sized bike

MountainMonster

MikeWW wrote:

Sat on the saddle put your heal on the pedal and move crank to lowest position. Leg should be straight without the need to move on the saddle. This will give you a slight flex in the knee joint when you then put your foot in the normal position. Ball of foot on spindle

You want your leg to be just a little bit bent when in the normal position feet wise, with the pedal at the bottom of the stroke. Nothing to do with heels.

This picture shows the correct angling to have your knee at. Lots of formulas out there to get it cm exact, but for 95% of the riders in the world that is completely unnecessary.