Saddle set too far back on rails?

Monty1
Monty1 Posts: 19
edited February 2018 in Road general
Hi. I had a bike fit a while ago. To get by pedal position & stoke right, the saddle was set back as far as it will go on the seat rail. Way outside the markings on the rails. (I can't seem to post a photo). Is this likely to be a concern, or am I fretting about nothing?

Comments

  • mercia_man
    mercia_man Posts: 1,431
    Having saddle right back on rails outside the markings looks wrong and is potentially dangerous as it may put too much strain on the rails and cause them to break. You should consider a seatpost with more setback.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Sounds like a rubbish fit, the markings are there for a reason.

    To stop you getting a seat post up your arris when the rails snap.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    Mercia Man wrote:
    Having saddle right back on rails outside the markings looks wrong and is potentially dangerous as it may put too much strain on the rails and cause them to break. You should consider a seatpost with more setback.
    ^this. Assuming your current seatpost doesn't already have a decent amount of set-back and that your frame isn't actually far too small for you, you need to buy another seatpost.
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • joey54321
    joey54321 Posts: 1,297
    Depends on your weight, i'd say it'd likely be fine unless you are on the heavier side. There is quite a lot of safety built in to things like that. However, I would look for a seat post with more seatback if possible. It does seem odd the fitter didn't discuss it would you though.
  • Monty1
    Monty1 Posts: 19
    Thanks all for confirming my concerns. It was a compromise as I was told that the frame was a bit small.
    Seatpost is 25.4 Cannondale. Not many options. Pondering a new bike in any event.
  • If the saddle is that far back, you may find you have problems with the front wheel lifting when pushing the pedals hard going up hill. I had this problem and solved it by fitting a longer stem, but this may not be possible in your case.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Makes sense if the frames too small for you.

    How far have you ridden like that ? As has been said a lay by post will fix your position.
  • Monty1
    Monty1 Posts: 19
    If the saddle is that far back, you may find you have problems with the front wheel lifting when pushing the pedals hard going up hill. I had this problem and solved it by fitting a longer stem, but this may not be possible in your case.

    Not had that problem, to be honest.
  • Monty1
    Monty1 Posts: 19
    Thanks both.
    Not had a problem on climbs, to be honest. Will ponder seat post etc.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    If the saddle is that far back, you may find you have problems with the front wheel lifting when pushing the pedals hard going up hill.
    Maybe on Rosedale Chimney or Trooper Lane........
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • pilot_pete
    pilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    Depending on the saddle, outside the markings may not be a straight part of the rails which isn’t designed to be clamped. And clamping on part of a curve could put undue pressure on a specific part of the rail which could lead to a failure.

    To be honest, if the bike is too small and you can’t set the saddle any further back (if you already have a setback seatpost) and perhaps the bar drop is excessive requiring a number of spacers, you’ll neve4 be happy with it so I would just buy a correct sized frame/ bike and sell that one on before you wear everything out and it’s value reflects that.

    PP
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Size of the frame has no relation to fore-aft position of the seat on post, as the seat tube angles are the same and this dictates the setback. It might be that the seat post angle is steep.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    drlodge wrote:
    Size of the frame has no relation to fore-aft position of the seat on post, as the seat tube angles are the same and this dictates the setback. It might be that the seat post angle is steep.

    Depends on the frame - many frame designs have steeper seat tube angles to shorten the reach for smaller riders.
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • keezx
    keezx Posts: 1,322
    Unfortunately, a steeper seat angle only shortens the top tube, not the reach.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    edited February 2018
    Keezx wrote:
    Unfortunately, a steeper seat angle only shortens the top tube, not the reach.

    Different uses of the word 'reach'.

    You are using 'reach' as the label used to define the horizontal distance between the bottom bracket centre and the head-tube centre, my usage was to reference the distance the rider had to stretch forward to hold the bars. Neither wrong, just different :D
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • pilot_pete
    pilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    Keezx wrote:
    Unfortunately, a steeper seat angle only shortens the top tube, not the reach.

    So, if the top tube is shorter and everything else remains the same, how is the reach not affected?

    PP
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Pilot Pete wrote:
    Keezx wrote:
    Unfortunately, a steeper seat angle only shortens the top tube, not the reach.

    So, if the top tube is shorter and everything else remains the same, how is the reach not affected?

    PP

    In this case, reach is defined as the distance between middle of bottom bracket and head tube centre (or something at the front). So actually, top tube can't be shorter and everything else remains the same, but if TT is shorter with length taken off the rear of it, then seat tube angle must be steeper, hence distance between bottom bracket and head tube remains the same.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • pilot_pete
    pilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    Ah I see, I thought he meant distance from saddle to bars...
  • ovi
    ovi Posts: 396
    DVmyNrXX4AUFxGP.jpg
    doesn't bother Ty Magner
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    They've not thought out their decals and placement that we'll have they ?
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    I'd suggest Ty Magner's bike is too small for him - even allowing for the trend among Pros to size down a bit on the frame.
    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/
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,052
    Monty1 wrote:
    Thanks all for confirming my concerns. It was a compromise as I was told that the frame was a bit small.
    Seatpost is 25.4 Cannondale. Not many options. Pondering a new bike in any event.
    A temporary solution? Also, your new bike may not be set back that much further so a possible permanent solution. Just as an example.
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/thomson-elite-s ... 1252721822
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • Monty1
    Monty1 Posts: 19
    Thanks for the link and response.
    Current seatpost is 25.4 mm 15 mm set back. Can't find a 25.4 with 25 mm set back thus far. Will keep looking.
  • Monty1
    Monty1 Posts: 19
    I have move the seat forward a bit on the rails.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,052
    Monty1 wrote:
    Thanks for the link and response.
    Current seatpost is 25.4 mm 15 mm set back. Can't find a 25.4 with 25 mm set back thus far. Will keep looking.
    You sure it is 25.4mm OD?
    That is an unusually small size.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,223
    PBlakeney wrote:
    Monty1 wrote:
    Thanks for the link and response.
    Current seatpost is 25.4 mm 15 mm set back. Can't find a 25.4 with 25 mm set back thus far. Will keep looking.
    You sure it is 25.4mm OD?
    That is an unusually small size.

    Not on a Dale.
  • Monty1
    Monty1 Posts: 19
    Yes, 25.4 - hence the problem.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,052
    Stupid Cannondale... :wink:
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    Monty1 wrote:
    I have move the seat forward a bit on the rails.

    Rather than ride a bike with a poor fit it sounds like you need to get another bike? A perfect excuse :D
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D