My stupid saddle question o'the day :)

[Heifzilla]

I feel stupid asking this, but I would like to know and the only way to learn is to ask. So...

This is one of my saddle rails. What are the markings for and what do they mean? Do I need to stay within those markings for the saddle to be safe to use? Like I said, dumb newbie question :o

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3477804271_18a0565b38_o.jpg

Thanks.

[Biciclista]

no you don't have to stay within the markings to be safe. the markings are there to help you measure that's all. None of my saddles have them. so your saddle is extra cool because of that.

[VeloVT]

Heifzilla -- judging from where your saddle is (pushed all the way forward), I would think you might benefit from getting a seatpost with less setback. That way you will have more wiggle room to tweak your saddle fore-aft.

[Heifzilla]

Heifzilla -- judging from where your saddle is (pushed all the way forward), I would think you might benefit from getting a seatpost with less setback. That way you will have more wiggle room to tweak your saddle fore-aft.

Hey, liza, thanks for the suggestion. I didn't realize that you could get a seat post that had less setback...another thing I will have to start researching :D

Heif

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

When I started out biking, I kept my saddle all the way forward, thinking it would help shorten the reach to the handlebars.
As I put on the months and the miles, I realized I needed to put the saddle further and further back.
Sometimes when we are new riders we adjust things to be 'easier' but as we ride more we get a more accurate feel about what we actually need and about what is not right, fit-wise. There was no way for me to know what I was 'supposed' to be feeling when I was a new rider. But after hundreds of miles I got a much better idea of what was not feeling right for me.

[VeloVT]

Hmmm... interesting... I made various fit mistakes, but keeping my saddle pushed all the way forward unnecessarily was not one of them. Not saying you don't have a valid point, but any time a piece of equipment is being used at its limit, it's worth investigating.

[Heifzilla]

Hmmm... interesting... I made various fit mistakes, but keeping my saddle pushed all the way forward unnecessarily was not one of them. Not saying you don't have a valid point, but any time a piece of equipment is being used at its limit, it's worth investigating.

You know, I am not even sure where my saddle should be at this point. I had it back farther and wasn't over my foot when pedalling. Now that I am over my foot while pedalling, it feels like I am leaning more on my handlebars and my hands are going numb. On a *4 mile* ride. Not good. So I am going to bring my seat back a little more, where it was more comfortable. Then I am really far back from my handlebars and not over the pedals. I've also started to get foot numbness again, but I am pretty sure that's from me really mashing down on my pedals when I am tired or working hard (today was headwind hell, for example) combined with soft shoes on rat trap pedals.

LBS around here are useless for much :( I'm pretty sure my bike isn't the right size for me (top tube is too long), but it's what I have and I can't get another one anytime soon.

*sigh*

[OakLeaf]

Reach to the handlebars is best adjusted by changing out the stem. How long and how steep is the one you have? Is a shorter or steeper stem possible?

Counterintuitively, sometimes a longer stem can relieve hand and shoulder pressure.

Unfortunately, without access to a good fitter, you're down to trial and error, and unlike moving your saddle, you actually have to swap out different stems. But maybe just maybe your LBS would let you try out some different stems and bring back ones that don't work for you?

[tantrumbean]

Hey, liza, thanks for the suggestion. I didn't realize that you could get a seat post that had less setback...another thing I will have to start researching :D

Heif

Before you do that, when sitting on the saddle with your feet on the pedals and your front foot in the 3 o'clock position (lean against a fall or something), get someone to drop a plumbline from that nobbly bit just under your kneecap - the line should end up right at the pedal axle. If not, adjust saddle fore/after as needed. You might find you don't need another seatpost but a different stem!