low saddle height freak

Simmo72

I know, I need to go for a bike fit and I’m not expecting a firm answer here and there isn’t a standard fit theory for anyone but just want to know if other people are in a similar position as I feel like a bit of a freak.

I’m 6ft 4, 98kg and suffer from a lower pack problem resulting in tight hip flexors. Physio is helping but I am baffled over my bike position. Whilst I don’t think it’s the cause of the problem, getting the sweet spot would help keep the pain under control.

My inside leg is 98.5cm and typically I rode with my saddle height at around 86-87 cm. What I have found is that by bring the saddle forward to a set back of 9cm (which isn’t much for a tall rider) and lowering significantly to between 83-84cm my back problems are reduced, or at least delayed. The problem is I feel too low, the balls of my feet can easily touch the ground whilst on the saddle, my leg does not look extended enough, and after a ride my legs are more tried than usual, but I get less back pain.

I think I can justify lowering the saddle a bit due to having my cleats as far back as possible, I use 177.5 cranks, and heel down a bit, but on video it looks low. This isn’t a random decision, I have tried a variety of saddle & stem positions and this appears to be the only thing that helps but I do feel like a bit of an idiot. I’ll try and add a pic shortly.

I can’t get time off for a BG fit until the end of October so I’m stuck like this for now but just wondered if anyone has been or is in a similar position

styxd

Yes, I dont have a fucking clue about my saddle height. Its been all over the place.

Like you, I have a long inside leg (although not that long). I initially started with my saddle very high, which seemed right. However, I found it made my quads burn when trying to push quite hard.

I dropped it lower and lower and started dropping my heels more. This felt powerful (especially uphills where I do have a tendancy to drop my heels). But I dropped it to low and have since been raising it again. I think Im getting close to correct height now though, and Im using less setback than I used to.

One thing I have found - when Im pedalling normally/smoothly I tend to pedal with a flat foot., perhaps a slightly dropped heel.

However, if Im on the nose of the saddle going as hard as I can, I tend to pedals toes down (my technique goes a bit sloppy though).

Have a look on Steve Hoggs bike fitting website, it might give you some ideas.

declan1

Have you tried heightening your bars with more spacers/reversing stem? A low saddle height can bring knee problems, reduced power and really sore legs.

snoopsmydogg

declan1 wrote:

Have you tried heightening your bars with more spacers/reversing stem?

this ^^^

try flipping your stem and using more spacers underneath (if possible) or maybe a shorter stem could give a more upright position.

was having issues with my knees so increased the saddle which got rid of the pain but made me feel stretched so raised the bars 10mm and made a world of difference.

Simmo72

I used to ride a specialized secteur so I had stacks of headtube and spacers available, but i actually found that going lower actually and having a bigger gap between the saddle and bars helped...maybe from being tall. Having a small gap actually made my back worse. I have since moved to a planet x pro carbon with a more aggressive shorter headtube length. I am playing around with the stem, raising with spacers and flipping, maybe as suggested a shorter stem might reduce some of the strain.

Simmo72

styxd wrote:

Have a look on Steve Hoggs bike fitting website, it might give you some ideas.

Thx, good to know its not just me though I hope you get there soon. Like you I think the heel dropping is helping, I feel this makes up for the loss of power from dropping hte seat, though you have to watch the achilles tendons, its starting to feel a bit more natural. yes, the Steve hogg site is very informative, his advice on mid foot cleat was very interesting and I tried to follow his diy advice on saddle height but I think my bio mechanic issues prevent me from getting to the right point - BG fit it is!

Now my knees are starting to ache but this could be from all the physio rather than the riding - ****** nightmare.

Karlos69

There seems to be lots of good info in this thread which might help you.
You will need to keep reading through it and towards the end there are links to external web sites and a blog of a bike fitter who seems to know his stuff.....might be worth having a look at this

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=12875390

Lookyhere

BG fits can sometimes give an upright position as they are very much based on knee over pedal and a 30' knee angle (i ve friend who is/was a BG fitter - for 2 years - in a local Spesh shop)
the obvious thing to suggest is why dont you, from a starting position of 83/84cm SH, raise it 2 or 3 mill at a time, over a number of weeks, letting your body adapt slowly to the new position? as you go higher your saddle will need to come fwd as well.
you seemed to have a fair idea of what to do and what works or not.

Simmo72

Thanks for the heads up re BG. £200 is a lot to spend, but i understand they take into account flexibility, injury, foot size etc but I am not a huge believer in KOPS.

The problem I have is I have good days and bad days without making any changes to the bike so its really hard to tell when I do make a change if its made things better or worse. Last night I was frustrated and shoved the saddle back 1.5cm in a desperate move to see if things improved. Very stupid as after my ride into work my back is very sore but at least I know that moving back is not the direction to go......micro movements and patience!