Saddle tilt--adjusted differently on trainer than on the road?

[Ana]

Do you have a different saddle tilt on the trainer than on the road?

The thing that holds my front wheel tilts my bike up a bit so I usually re-level my saddle when I put it in the trainer. I also adjust the angle when I am ready to take it out on the road.

[Cataboo]

I just use a phone book underneath my front wheel for the trainer. It keeps things about level, so I don't adjust the tilt.

[ninerfan]

I don't adjust the tilt either. Even if the bike is tilted up slightly, my body position relative to all portions of my bike will still be the same as if I was level. Does that make sense?

Basically, even if I'm tilted up, the relationships of my legs to my pedals and my arms to my handlebars are the same. Everything on the bike is tilted up. If you alter the tilt of your saddle and keep everything else the same, isn't that ultimately affecting your fit overall?

There are people on this board, however, with far more knowledge about these things than I and so I will happily defer to them. :D

[celerystalksme]

if you want to leve the bike how while on the trainer, get a black for the fron wheel...there are even ones that allow you to adjust the tilt of your bike.

but you shouldn't have to adjust the tilt of the saddle for trainer use. on the road, you'll be riding up and down all sorts of grades with the same saddle tilt...

[Bike Chick]

I've never adjusted the saddle to accomodate the tilt in the trainer. I wouldn't adjust the saddle every time I climb a hill and I believe the block that your front tire sits in is made to simulate climbing and increase your effort---similar to the elevation on a treadmill.

[Triskeliongirl]

Most blocks that hold the wheel in the trainer have several slots, so either choose one that makes it be level, or add books or something under the block to level it.

You shouldn't be having to adjust the tilt on the saddle. Just put a level on your top tube (if its a level top tube) to level it. Or if its not level, check measurement from the floor to front and rear wheel hubs is the same.

[Ana]

I've never adjusted the saddle to accomodate the tilt in the trainer. I wouldn't adjust the saddle every time I climb a hill and I believe the block that your front tire sits in is made to simulate climbing and increase your effort---similar to the elevation on a treadmill.

But I don't like the treadmill ;) My previous saddle dug into me a bit when tilted up so I would adjust the saddle tilt... :(


Most blocks that hold the wheel in the trainer have several slots, so either choose one that makes it be level, or add books or something under the block to level it.

You shouldn't be having to adjust the tilt on the saddle. Just put a level on your top tube (if its a level top tube) to level it. Or if its not level, check measurement from the floor to front and rear wheel hubs is the same.

My front block has adjustable inclines as well but I have it on the lowest one :p It's not very high but I was wondering if it was unusual that I change the seat tilt slightly when I'm on the trainer ;)

[Andrea]

... I was wondering if it was unusual that I change the seat tilt slightly when I'm on the trainer ;)

Yes. Yes it is :D

[fidlfreek]

I dunno about you, but my tilt adjustment is a very very precise thing. Once its good I don't want to mess with it. I mean 1 millimeter higher or lower w/ the nose makes a huge difference.

Changing the tilt would be like remodeling your house just to get a picture to hang straight. :p

[VeloVT]

I dunno about you, but my tilt adjustment is a very very precise thing. Once its good I don't want to mess with it. I mean 1 millimeter higher or lower w/ the nose makes a huge difference.

Changing the tilt would be like remodeling your house just to get a picture to hang straight. :p

+1. I'm super fussy about saddle adjustment and once I finally get it just right, I don't want to move it :cool:.

However, I understand the impulse. I do think riding the trainer is tougher on ahem, the parts that contact the saddle than riding on the road. I definitely move around a lot less, and I think there's more "sitting" going on -- that is, I think when I ride outside there's much more weight supported by my pedaling and upper body than when I'm on the trainer, and on the trainer most of the weight tends to be on the saddle.