Saddle Tilt

markdavidhill
markdavidhill Posts: 279
edited August 2011 in Workshop
I'm testing a Fizik Aliante.

With the saddle level there was pressure on my perineum which caused discomfort so I dropped the nose a few degrees.

Then all was fine. I was not slipping forward as some theories suggest.

Is dropping the nose acceptable practice?
Team Madison Genesis Volare & Condor Super Acciaio

Comments

  • pbt150
    pbt150 Posts: 316
    Who cares if it's acceptable it it's comfortable?
  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    No, you'll look like a triathlete and end up hating yourself.
  • P_Tucker wrote:
    No, you'll look like a triathlete and end up hating yourself.

    Got me there.

    Don't understand.
    Team Madison Genesis Volare & Condor Super Acciaio
  • Chris McG
    Chris McG Posts: 189
    Any saddle angle is fine, as long as its comfortable. I personally have mine tilted a few degrees back.
    "Orbea, Bianchi, Ridley, Van Nicholas, Planet X, Niner. My Euro-bike menagerie was going well up to the last 2..."
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Aliante has a slight dip which makes it look nose down. Worse you can do is nose up as it puts pressure in all the wrong places and probably indicates the wrong shape of saddle.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    P_Tucker wrote:
    No, you'll look like a triathlete and end up hating yourself.

    Got me there.

    Don't understand.

    Basically, 9 times out of 10 if you see a saddle tilted forwards it belongs to a triantelope. Triantelopes are the least cool group of people who ride bikes by a huge margin; at least 3 orders of magnitude less cool than dentists with a healthly collection of spacers under their stems. You don't want to be associated with them in any way. Ever.

    CSB time - I was recruiting a few months ago, someone applied who stated on his CV that he was a triathlete. Immediately his CV was deposited into the round filing tray. True story.
  • Chris McG wrote:
    Any saddle angle is fine, as long as its comfortable. I personally have mine tilted a few degrees back.

    That is the worst advice ever.

    Accepted wisdom is for saddles to be level, or slightly pointing nose-down.
  • rozzer32
    rozzer32 Posts: 3,923
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12792808

    Correct saddle tilt discussed here.
    ***** Pro Tour Pundit Champion 2020, 2018, 2017 & 2011 *****
  • nmcgann
    nmcgann Posts: 1,780
    I'm testing a Fizik Aliante.

    With the saddle level there was pressure on my perineum which caused discomfort so I dropped the nose a few degrees.

    Then all was fine. I was not slipping forward as some theories suggest.

    Is dropping the nose acceptable practice?

    Absolutely fine - saddle comfort is a very individual thing, so whatever works for you.

    I'd always recommend starting from a neutral flat position and then tailoring the tilt for the best comfort for the kind of riding you do. e.g. my TT bike has a very pronounced nose-down position, but since most of my weight is on my legs and arms when racing it is most comfortable like that. It's not good for less intense riding though when there is a lot more weight on the saddle, so my road bike saddles have only a slight downward tilt.
    --
    "Because the cycling is pain. The cycling is soul crushing pain."
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    Altering the angle may be chasing the wrong solution if the problem is actually the saddle itself. Saddles with a cutout/groove are popular because they relieve the pressure on the perineum. I had the Arione for a day and soon swapped it for a better shape.
    Accepted wisdom is for saddles to be level, or slightly pointing nose-down.

    and I'd take that with a pinch of salt.

    ps that bike in the link is ridiculous! :shock:
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    Is dropping the nose acceptable practice?

    I always end up doing that slightly on all my bikes. If it's comfy who cares about anything else.
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • neilo23
    neilo23 Posts: 783
    Chris McG wrote:
    Any saddle angle is fine, as long as its comfortable. I personally have mine tilted a few degrees back.

    That is the worst advice ever.

    Accepted wisdom is for saddles to be level, or slightly pointing nose-down.

    Why is it bad advice? I have my saddle tilted slighty up at the front as it takes some pressure of my arms and I find it comfortable on long rides. Only a couple of degrees, mind.
  • fludey
    fludey Posts: 384
    Can someone just confirm when you measure seat angle do you lay a flat object across the full length of the seat, including the bit that swoops upwards at the rear as mine swoops up quite a bit?
    Can get the seat to feel comfy but struggling to relieve the pressure from my arms without making the seat uncomfortable.
    Felt AR4
    Planet X Pro Carbon 105
    MTB Kona Kikapu Deluxe with a few upgrades!!
  • ADIHEAD
    ADIHEAD Posts: 575
    Try an Aliante VS with the channel down the middle :wink: I had the same problem with the Arione so swapped to the VS and it has relieved the pressure in the right parts :D Still not sure it's the right saddle though, got rid of one problem and now my thighs rub on the 'wingflex' bits. Hopefully it's just where it needs breaking in.

    Generally the Aliante should be spirit level flat or with the nose pointing down slightly. We're all different though so go with what suits, but if you're slipping down when tilted, and get pressure in the wrong bits when flat then I'd try the VS version :wink:
  • LeighB
    LeighB Posts: 326
    Put a hardback book on the saddle and a spirit level on the book. Level is a starting point you then adjust to suit yourself.