Quote Originally Posted by 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.

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!