I met some newbies on the path today

[Kano]

I guess that's one good thing about being short - when I learned to ride (at age 12 - a late bloomer), it never even occurred to me that it might be possible to put both feet on the ground at the same time, not even on the Stingray I was taught on!

That's what it was! Being short! I remember my first bike: bluegreen, white trim, and chrome. And there was this headlight built into the front, with a huge battery compartment between the tubes. I was five, I think. It had 24" wheels, and there was NO way I could touch the ground from the seat. Heck, for the first while, it was mighty danged challenging to reach the pedals when I was on the seat! Yup, that would have been when I learned to hop off the seat when I wanted to stop -- and boy howdy, do I still remember one particularly sudden dismount where I had hit a bump in the road at the same time I was trying to get down from the seat....

Karen in Boise, who learned early about top-bar clearance!

[Evie]

Are you supposed to get off the saddle at lights, too? I usually balance on the ball of one foot and stay on my seat. Is that bad? I can never get across without the light turning yellow (and often red), because they change ridiculously fast.

[oxysback]

Are you supposed to get off the saddle at lights, too? I usually balance on the ball of one foot and stay on my seat. Is that bad? I can never get across without the light turning yellow (and often red), because they change ridiculously fast.

Yep....at least I always do...unless there's a handy curb. But usually I take the lane at a red light, depending on circumstances.

[mimitabby]

Are you supposed to get off the saddle at lights, too? I usually balance on the ball of one foot and stay on my seat. Is that bad? I can never get across without the light turning yellow (and often red), because they change ridiculously fast.

I do what you do. every time.

[KSH]

Are you supposed to get off the saddle at lights, too? I usually balance on the ball of one foot and stay on my seat. Is that bad? I can never get across without the light turning yellow (and often red), because they change ridiculously fast.

Well, I know for me... I do NOT feel secure balancing on my foot... while on the seat. Honestly, I don't even know if I could do that.

[bcipam]

Are you supposed to get off the saddle at lights, too? I usually balance on the ball of one foot and stay on my seat. Is that bad? I can never get across without the light turning yellow (and often red), because they change ridiculously fast.

If you can put a foot down and still sit on the saddle - the seat's too low. When on my saddle my feet reach my pedals but I cannot touch the ground, not even close. I have to slide off the saddle to put either foot down. Or I would have to be leaning way over to get my foot down. That would be dangerous.

I use clipless pedals so usually one foot is always keep intact - ie clipped in. As I approach a light to stop - this is a fluid motion - but I usually, brake, slow down, unclip on one foot (my right) and slide off the saddle and put my right foot down. I sometimes use the curb to balance but not always especially if there is a rght turn lane and I have to stop out away from the curb. My left foot is still clipped in and when the light changes, I push down on my left foot, slide up onto the saddle and clip in my right and go.

I thought of something... when I'm straddling my bike, my crotch is approximately an inch from the top tube. My seat post is raised approximately 8" (my guestimate I would have to go home and measure for sure) from the top tube so you can see I could not sit on the saddle and straddle the bike. Those of you who can, is your saddle right on or just at the seat tube? I have no idea how you can even sit and put feet down. I would have to ride a small bike and be 6' tall! But I would also need approximately 9" of clearance!

[mimitabby]

If you can put a foot down and still sit on the saddle - the seat's too low. When on my saddle my feet reach my pedals but I cannot touch the ground, not even close. I have to slide off the saddle to put either foot down. Or I would have to be leaning way over to get my foot down. That would be dangerous.
!

I am putting my foot on the curb when i do this usually. the other foot is still on the pedal.

I have paid professionals a lot of money to make sure my seat is in the right place

[bcipam]

So if you tried to put one foot down on the ground you can't correct?

If think Evie is saying she is not balancing on a curb but putting her foot down on the ground. Right Evie?

[Evie]

It's easier to do it on a curb, but occasionally I'll lean so I can balance on my toes. I guess that's a no-no, then.
Is there a general rule of thumb for where your seat should be? (Besides "your feet can't touch the ground.") From what everyone's saying, mine is definitely too low. If I was riding, I could probably touch the ground with the ends of my toes. How far should they be from the pavement?

[bcipam]

Evie that's where a good fitting comes in. It is different for everyone. I know if on a trainer and I extend my legs off the pedals toes pointed, my toes are still way off the ground, probably a good 8 - 10 ". To remain on the saddle and put a foot down on the ground I would basically have to fall sideways and hopefully catch myself once my foot reaches the ground. There would be no way for me to start forward in this position.

It's up to you if you are comfortable now with your saddle height, then stay there. Just know with the proper height, your legs work more efficiently and you get more power and speed. Plus legs won't get as tired as soon.

[emily_in_nc]

Is there a general rule of thumb for where your seat should be? (Besides "your feet can't touch the ground.") From what everyone's saying, mine is definitely too low. If I was riding, I could probably touch the ground with the ends of my toes. How far should they be from the pavement?

There's no rule on how far your toes/feet should be from the ground when on the saddle; however a general guideline is that when you have your feet on (or clipped into, depending on your pedal type) your pedals, at the very bottom of your pedal stroke, your knee should be bent only about 10-15 degrees. This is something that is very hard to eyeball on your own. We do it by leaning my bike against a car in the garage, I hop on and hold onto the car mirror to stay upright, and hubby stands a distance away and tells me exactly when my foot is at the bottom of my stroke (i.e., the crankarm is dead vertical - also very hard to determine on your own - I always guess wrong), and then he estimates the angle of my leg. Your knee should be bent, but not a great deal. If you have an indoor trainer, you can set the bike up in that and have someone else help you determine this is as well - it's easier on a trainer than trying to balance the bike without it!

A too-low saddle can lead to front-of-knee pain and robs you of power on your pedal stroke.

I'm short and have smaller bikes, but there is no way I can get a foot down on the ground while I am perched on the saddle. A tip toe? Maybe - I haven't tried - but doubtful. I just always get off the saddle when I stop (no curbs in the country or on the trails!) I keep my starting foot (left) clipped in and balance on my right foot.

The only bikes you can normally get a foot or feet on the ground when you stop are long wheel-base recumbents and bikes like Townies, where the saddle is low on purpose and the front crank is moved forward on the bike to achieve a semi-recumbent geometry.

Emily

[mimitabby]

A tip toe? Maybe - I haven't tried - but doubtful. I just always get off the saddle when I stop (no curbs in the country or on the trails!) I keep my starting foot (left) clipped in and balance on my right foot.
.

Emily

Hi, today on my way home I observed myself. When i had to stop and wasn't near a curb, i put my toe down, yes a tiptoe, bike shoes are pretty inflexible so it's easy to balance on the tip of your shoe, with your hands on brakes and other foot still on pedal.

[Evie]

A too-low saddle can lead to front-of-knee pain and robs you of power on your pedal stroke.

I'm so glad you mentioned that! My right knee started to hurt about two nights ago, and I was really worried. Maybe raising my seat an inch or two will help.

I'll see if I can get my mom to help with my leg position...although she's as clueless about bikes as I am.

[KSH]

I'm so glad you mentioned that! My right knee started to hurt about two nights ago, and I was really worried. Maybe raising my seat an inch or two will help.

I'll see if I can get my mom to help with my leg position...although she's as clueless about bikes as I am.

It's best to try to adjust your seat while you are sitting on the bike. In a shop, they put the bike on a trainer, so you can sit and pedal. They do measurements, etc... to make sure the seat height is just perfect... as your leg should be stretch out some, but with a slight bend in the knee.

Knees can also hurt from riding a bike... if you are mashing your pedals... which means your cadence is low (85 and lower) and you aren't spinning (cadence 90+)... so riding becomes more muscular (mashing) than cardiovascular (spinning).

[bcipam]

Evie:

Your saddle definitely needs to be raised but do it a little at time. What most fitters do is measure where the saddle is supposed to be and then over a period of time the saddle is very gradually raised to that position. Shouldn't go more than several cm at a time. That way no real shock to your body and your knees.

The most common cause of knee problems is a saddle too low but what KSH say is also true. Just get your activities whent he knee problems come up adn see if yiou can tie it to a specific event.

Good luck. Once you get that saddle raised, you will be amazed at the pwoer and strength you gain!