How To Set Your Road Bike's Saddle Height - Tips For Getting Your Saddle Position Right
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 24. 07. 2024
- Get your saddle height and position right with the help of this video.
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Saddle height is one of the key components of bike fit. So, it's a great thing to work on if you want to feel comfortable on your bike but don't want to spend your money on a high end bike fit just.
You'll need a spirit level, tape measure and a plumb line.
We've outlined a couple of methods in this video, so try each of them and see what feels best!
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I'm a new cyclist and I really appreciate your explanation of each of these measurements. I have cycle shops telling me I need custom fitting sessions before I ride and this REALLY gave me the advantage a novice needs to enjoy a new sport. Thanks for everything!
This is the best 'Saddle Height' video I have ever seen
Funniest too.
I agree! these guys are pros both in racing and in teaching!
Yeah ! Very clear !
This video completely changed my bike's performance, I originally had my seat angled 4 degrees forward, and I just wasn't getting what I wanted out of by bicycle. So when I was changing my seat I put it level like you guys instructed in the video. This made such a difference it actually felt like a new bike. Thanks for the awesome tips GCN!
Thanks Jared, really pleased to hear it!
Thank you for helping me make a great breakthrough with riding after a Total Knee Replacement. 5 months on and OK on stationery bike at gym but unable to get past TDC without severe pain on real bike. Got height right now, only slightly raised over previous, and slid saddle rearwards. I have a Dutch style pedelec. Success! Tonight I not only managed to get past TDC I managed a couple of miles pain free. Wonderful. I'll let you know in the morning how my knee is! lol But after all this time I'm back on two wheels that move not just stationery in gym. Woop, woop! ;-)
When I started, endless knee and muscle problems. Tried every adjustment going. Then osteopath discovered one leg slightly shorter than other. Tiny amount. Small plate between shoe and cleat fixed it all instantly. If all else fails....
EXCELLENTES EXPLICATIONS-
LES CHOSES COMPLIQUĂES DOIVENT ĂTRE EXPLIQUĂES SIMPLEMENT.
that's so interesting that you found that out. its fun to tinker around, but when pain is involved you just want it to fit! (speaking from my personal experience as well!) I'm glad you got it dialed in!
Ted Croke
There's another way to fix it. Search for 'how to equal leg length'
Indoor bike trainer stand
Thanks for this vid! I used the "barely bent knee" method to adjust my saddle height - it actually needed to be raised an inch or so on my new MTB. First ride today with the new setup and I could definitely feel an improvement - getting a lot more power to the pedals now!
Very comprehensive guide. I watched this video several times since last year when I start cycling. Thanks
And when you've finally found your correct saddle height, mark it well in case you're riding with Matt who's prone to "adjust" your saddle height (ref. the Sabotage video).
Thanks! Wow being new to this I never thought THIS in depth before. Great explanation and demonstration.....even if it was a bit weird at times. Lol. Cheers from the USA
Hi Guys,
I tested this out and you won't believe but it's worked out and given me amazing accurate millimetre values on the saddle height.
I did the 1st method Simon demonstrated by just hopping on to bike and making sure that my leg is locked when the peddle is at the bottom & also ensured that I was able to peddle with out my pelvis rocking from side to side. It took a few adjustments but the Saddle height I got was 68.72 CMS.
I then did the inseam method and the measurements I got was 78.74 CMS.
Resulting in 68.74 CMS when I took 10 CMS out.
Now that's accuracy.
Thank you Simon & off course GCN.
Thanks a lot for this video. I used a level to adjust my saddle. As a result, my bike became much comfortable.
Good timing! I had just lowered my handlebars and was feeling a bit stretched. Admittedly before I watched this I moved the saddle forward a bit and up a bit. After I ride tomorrow I'll measure it out and see if I', close to these tests. Although my very scientific moving it a by a bit has worked wonders in the past!
This video was worth it just to see how uncomfortable he was with the leveler underneath him.
Ikr
I liked it for that alone :p. He managed the awkward moment well, and allowed for it to be comical!
@Crystal Chandelier ditto...
Level not "leveler".
This has had me at the old Midnight bike maintenance. Tightened my brake cables, whilst I was at it too! Thanks lads.
Excellent video to get ball park set up. What's left out, is setting up cleats first, before doing any other adjustments. Also be sure to do fitting with the cycling shorts you will usually be riding in. Short's padding thickness makes a difference in fine tuning saddle height.
awesome methods and tips Si, I'm gonna try them out right now, I was always told to use the ankle method, but it always made my legs not stretch at all, so I often put on that face you make sometimes which says "I'm doing something they told me not to" and rise my saddle height a little bit
Thanks !
Great Video Simon,
I'm going to test this out right now.
I will do the First method you demonstrated with the heel of your foot and then sort of validate the saddle height with the inseam method.
Thank you very much.
GCN is by far the best and most interesting series of Cycling DVD information video's
I really enjoyed the GCN videos. I recently bought my first road bike. After rode for 30 KM, I found my saddle position was too low and too backward. The laid-back position is OK for neighborhood riding, but for longer ride, it causes muscular pains at knees and thighs. Like some youtube videos described, for begin riders, the saddle position might need to move up and forward a little bit to be more efficient.
Simon, you ROCKED it once again. Love these videos!! They're the best.....
I did a lot of 'trial and error' adjustments on the saddle height and forward or back. Kept increasing until it 'felt right'. Out of curiosity, I've just done the inside leg measurement (760) less 10cm and that is the exact height my saddle is now ! A good method for a start height and then tweak . Great video liked the explanation of the various methods . Thank you
p.s. Using a spirit level it's quite straightforward to get and mark the initial measurement (although you look ridiculous)
I used to just buy a bike I liked, hop on, peddle and go. I never knew about all of this and how it could make your riding experience so much more enjoyable. Great video even though this Huffy Cruiser rider may never apply most of these advanced techniques. In fact I will probably add a motor to mine just to make it up the steep dirt hills I take to work.
Thanks for the video---it was a good introduction to the subject.
I'd like to add the following for consideration:
Think what happens when a rider changes position---when they move from the flats to the drops or, in a more extreme change, move to the aerobars. When they change position, simply sliding forward or backward on the seat isn't enough. Rather, their entire body needs to rotate forward or backward around the bottom bracket in order to maintain an optimal angle between their torso and legs for efficient and comfortable power transfer. The bottom bracket is the axis around which measurements should be made.
I believe this is why so many of the "rules" for rider position have such limited application---they are two-dimensional when we need to be thinking in three dimensions. For example, the plum line rule doesn't apply for an aero position where the rider rotates their body forward to use aerobars. Plus, the seat not only needs to move forward for this position, it also needs to nose downward a bit (contradicting the "level" seat rule).
The general goals for all positions is to: (1) fit the biomechanics of the rider, (2) provide efficient transfer of power, (3) minimize aerodynamic drag, (4) provide comfort. Each position weights the importance of these goals in different ways.
After seat position, the next most common cause of knee discomfort is probably improper crank arm length. Many riders with moderate to short inseam lengths are likely using cranks that are too long. It's too bad that changing crank arms is often too expensive for many amateur riders.
Hi Min, thank for your video, it have been alot of help for newbies.
Thanks so much for this video. I used the 3rd method to find out (just out of curiosity :) ) and was pretty much surprised to find that my bikes seat height is already at what the measurement suggested ;)
loved your video,,and how you demonstrate ,on finding the right measurements in a way l understand better,wish it was all done that way lol, l continued watching ,but was looking to see if it was possible, higher the stem to the handle bars..also now l'm going to higher my seat and uses your step by step video ,thkyou
I use inseam x 0.883= saddle height (BB center to Seat), or inseam x 1.09 (pedal to Seat) or (inseam x 1.09) - crank length = Saddle height (from the BB center to seat)
May be a video to demonstrate these three methods to show their accuracy.
Thanks for the channel, I love your videos, keep it up.
Cheers!
thank you for all of your videos
Thank you for this. Used this to adjust my seat today, hands are no longer numb after my ride. đČ
Quite simply the best video on the seated position for cycling I've ever found - If CZcams had "Gold" like Reddit does, then it's yours!
Do you guys have a thought on which is the better foot position - toe down / heel down / flat ?
Thanks!
the Greg Lemond ratio worked perfectly for me... and i didn't even realize it. for the first time in about 18 years i decided to take the measurement, then measure my inseam which i also hadn't done since. and then multiplied that number by 0.883 and it was bang-on
Good video, some hummer and some learning. Good Job
Thanks alot for this video. Im a weekend warrior trying to do well in my 2nd triathlon and just cant seem to get my seat height and position right. cant wait to get off shift and try this out
marqujon Glad to hear it! Let us know how it works for you.
As always well instructed and useful. Thanks
Wow thanks! Just as i got my Canyon bike too. I love that -10cm method. Makes it easy!
Helpful, but, as a retired senior, I don't ride a "road bike", but something called a "comfort bike", where the handle bars are UP, and I try to maintain a fairly straight back posture (back aches are a problem .. which is why I chose the style of bike I'm using). When I've had my seat at a height that seemed to correspond to the "heel method", it is so high that I must dismount my seat with the main bar between my legs, then angle the bike over so that I can get my leg back over it to complete the dismount. I tell you, I didn't have these problems when I was your age, buy now that I'm ... ah ... north of 60 ... everything seems a bit more difficult .. yet I still love to ride for the exercise and the feel of freedom. Cheers mate, and thanks for the tips!
improper seat height is gonna make your problems worse. If dismounting is hard for you then buy a step through bike, or something with a low rise top tube. Don't pedal with your heels either, thats a great way to pull your achilles. And if you need to sit more upright, then buy raisers for your headset. I bought my bike from a retired guy, he had a 1.5 foot tall stem on it (didnt even know they made them that tall). Go to your local bike shop guy and have him show you.
Thanks for the tips. My "release grip" seat height lever doesn't seem to hold my seat throughout a ride. It starts off at the right height, and by the time the ride is done, its slipped back down a 1/2 " on a 15 mile ride. I don't peddle with my heels, but rather have my foot arches on the peddles. Thanks for the tips .. hoping to go out for a nice 15-20 mile ride tomorrow, weather permitting.
also, i kind of agree with Matthew Dixon and Moon Pie - as someone who has had knee pain due to a saddle too low, i understand where they are coming from!
Nice video, very useful, thanks...! Another thing to have in mind is that not everyone's legs are the same length. Mine are differeng by a few millimeters. I was going mad with my seat heright, up a millimeter or so and left knee starts to hurt, down a millimeter or two, and keft knee OK but now right knee starts to hurt. A therapist measured my legs was how I find out, was real quick and they can do it with just a tape measure. Apparently it's quite common that there's a difference. So I fixed the problem by cutting a piece of plastic about 2 mm thick and slipping it under the cleat on the short leg.
Lots of methods to try. Thanks
Great video and information sharing by Si.. Although the graphic showing the Holmes leg angles isn't measuring 25deg, it's measuring 155deg..
the spanners lined up in the back are so satisfying
very well done. I'm going to need to watch it a couple times to get it down
Thanks, this really helped me to understand why my current saddle position was causing me so much pain. Great video for a beginner to understand some of the finer points of adjustment.
Great video with great tips. Thank you very much. I need to make a few adjustments...âŠ.Just one question though...âŠâŠ WHY SO MUCH PADDING ON THE FRONT OF THOSE SHORTS??? lol
Great Clip and info Simon. :-)
I have a feeling that as I ride with my foot pointing down that I now need to raise my seat 1/4" or so.
Why do people dislike this video' it's very good and informative. I had the perfect height no knee pain then my Mrs decided to start using the turbo trainer now I'm getting knee pain. My fault I know I should of marked my seat height. I've been playing about with seat now for a week trying to get perfect height again
Good tip with starting slowly, I was fitted for my road bike and went on a long hard ride the next day.
The result? A nasty case of tendinitis in my Achilles' tendon. Getting over it now but it has taken a while, lucky it's winter.
I would like to repeat what Simon says and if you have recently made some big changes then ease back into training slowly.
Most proper bike fits The Saddle is too high and the fact you had Achilles tendonitis just proves your saddles too high
This really is an excellent, comprehensive discussion.
Having a professional bike fitter makes more sense than: learning how to do it... hours of trial and error adjustments... questioning your adjustments out in the field... creating pain or discomfort if you did something wrong... etc. Totally worth it to spend $300 USD and have a pro set your bike up, so you can have piece of mind it is fit EXACTLY the way it should be. But cheers to anyone that wants to spend hours or days learning this stuff...
Thanks guys! Looks like a great video!
Great tutorial!
Hi, I just bought a 2014 Giant TCR Advanced 2. Wondering if you are able to advise how to properly tighten the 2-bolt seatpost clamp. Thanks
I'm not a professional cyclist. I do like watching these, there is a lot of very useful information .
Dear GCN, Love your videos and tips and tricks! please continue. after starting to ride some months back i always have problems with my Hamstrings the day(s) after my ride, during the ride they are fine and looking at your videos and comfort during the ride i would think my saddle height is OK, but i'm wondering if perhaps my saddle would be too far back nad needs shifting forward? im not very flexible in my back for reference purpose. would moving the saddle forward put less pressure on my hams? your thoughts are apreciated. regards Wilko
thanks!! so clear!
Wow i had no idea that it was this involved, but thats for the upload, i will be trying the inseam method.
With quick release, I adjust the seat and angle to what feels most comfortable and a casual ride of about 8-12mph
This is a life saver when you need one the most!
Love the advice!
i really like this guy.. he knows his stuff.
Enjoying these videos and informative too.
Very helpful. Thanks. My seat was like 3 inches too low...lol. I think it is still probably a half to one inch too low. However, I reached the minimum insertion level. It is an adult bike, so I'm not sure why someone 5'11" would be a hair too tall for it. Anyway, hopefully riding the bike will be a ton more comfortable now at least.
Btw, it would be nice to see a video where you not only present the above information but also what the physical symptoms are. For example, knees that hurt could be a sign of X... rump that hurts could be a sign of Y... etc.
Great video. But how i must calculate inseam method if I use 165mm crank or 170mm?
Great job as always but it would have been nice if you elaborated on how a "toe down" or "heel down" pedaling style impacted the measurements.
Thank you! Good Luck!
Super helpful!! Thank you for the video!!
You're welcome Vangelis
What was the saddle height when using the "angle" method ? And did it corrolate with your own saddle height position ?
Hey guys, thanx for the nice videos. Can u please talk a little bit about how to choose a saddle? Also a bit about wrist pain! Thanx
Great video, very informative for a noob like me....nearly fell off my chair when you put a spirit level between your legs though :p
This video helps me a lot.
My issue that the the most comfortable peddling height (one where my legs extend almost as far as they can go) is hard on my wrists! Cuz the higher i sit, the more i have to bend forward and put my weight on my wrists on the handlebars....
Good video , thank you .
Do you have a vid for the defferent saddle heights for city and mountain bikes?
I don't like hearing Simon talk about his "crank length"
Kyle Graham I do ;)
Hey GCN, can you make a video on how to chose a saddle? I'd be really interested in hearing about how saddles differ (width, etc.), how to best chose one (riding style, personal measurements of sit-bones, etc.) how to prevent aches and pains! Thanks for all the amazing content guys, keep it up!
i know you didn't ask me, but... :) ...i recently did a lot of research and found SMP saddles. very good, a range of options and the style is made for long term health. all the reviews were great and after just a few test rides i think its going to be a great saddle. once you get over the departure from normalcy, you'll love it!
...of course now i see your comment is 2 years old, so i guess you found one by now! :)
Question about the inside leg method. My saddle is Romin Evo Pro, which has the cutout and a slight curve in the venter of the saddle. Do I measure from BB to the center where the curve of the saddle is or do I measure to the overall flat section height of the saddle (like putting a book on top of saddle)?
Great vid. Nice wheels too...
Hi, what is (or should be) the impact of pedalling technique (heel down or toe down) on saddle position?
how often do we have to cahnge the saddle in a route bike? thank you from Houston, TX
I dont understand, why did you take off your shoes when measuring inseam? on pedals we are in shoes. Thanks
I like them flip-flops you ride on the turbo !
After having back pain, the guy who owns the LBS and was a provincial champ back in the day, did a bike fit. We tweaked some minor stuff and increased saddle height. Interestingly he recommended a 2 or 3 degree tilt forward in my saddle and that ended up being much more comfortable. I also had my sitbones measured and found my saddle too narrow. Wider saddle tilted forward slightly and I can do 300k problem free in a day. I'm curious how you guys feel about saddle widths?
SIY you are such fun. Canada loves you
good tips
This is an excellent video for those that are struggling to fall asleep.
I crashed the pinarello 65.1 and got my saddle not straight while the seat tube is straight.
Since I don't have much repairing experience, is there any way to fix it easily? or I may have to change the saddle unluckily.
Need some clarification (if anyone is still reading comments on this old video).
The "inside leg" method measurement is to be done without shoes. But then the shoes with cleats will add some height (probably 2cm). How would this affect the saddle height? Should this be considered as increase in inseam length and saddle height increased accordingly, for checking the locked out position at the 5-6 o'clock position at the bottom?
Thanks....
Thank you a lot.
Hello excellent how to video!
BTW, would anyone be able to help me by indicating a good shop? I need a Shimano Di2 software update, I`m in Brussels, Belgium. Thanks for the help.
Standing flat on ground and bike post between your crotch usually you want at least 2.5 cm distance to the tube. I have a 48 cm frame and even that is too big against the 32 cm leg height. However this can become an advantage for shorter people as bigger frame means more room for setting up the pedal distance and how much you want to push into the pedal. Good video .
Please further explain the bony bit in back of the knee cap. Do mean bottomof knee cap?
How about a How to Series on building your own wheels. Like Mat does cyclocross?
Hey guys love your videos. Looking for an advice on bike fitting. I'm about to buy a second hand road bike for a great price. the frame is a 56 and I'm 1.82 m. Do you think this frame size will work for me? If to small can I compensate with saddle height? Thanks and great work !
Hi bro I need a help I am planning to buy btwin rockrider 540 for city as well as little bit rough road. I m confused with triban 100 (road cycle) btwin as well shall I use triban in rough road as well ..
I want to know how is it btwin cycles shall I go for this.. plz suggest me....
Any suggestions for this--my left leg is 1/2" shorter than my right ( from prev motorcycle accident)? Best to set according to Left or Right side? BTW--I have a goniometer!
I usually multiply my inseam (34 inches) by 1.09 and measure that from pedal axle to top of saddle. Works for me, and includes crank length. I think it's called the Lemond method
The Lemond method is inseam x .883 as measurement bottom bracket to saddle top. For me it comes out nearly exactly where this method Simon gave did.
In the beginning of video. When lock your legs out. Are you clipped in or your just peddling with your heal?
great video
Simon, can you tell me how long is your upper und lower leg length? I have exactly the same inseam as you and i would like to compare your measerments to mine,
Question, when Simon is using the "heel" technique, he has his cleats on , however when he is measuring off the floor to his "unit" he is bearfoot.... Why? If I use the heel technique should I be wearing my cleats like Simon or just socks? I imagen this would have some impact on the final value results.
What is the seatpost length of that bike? (Seat clamp to saddle railing)