Saddle Fit

[ladyicon]

I had the same problem on my road bike. It was not the bike or the fitting, it was just the way I held my body. When you get tired you naturally lean on the bars. When you stand on hills how do you feel? The saddle should be right below you butt. I also found that where you sit on the saddle makes a big difference. Good luck fitting the bike.

[Gypsy]

UPDATE:

I went to the store today to see what they could do.

So, this is where I get mad at myself for not knowing any better () and I know this is an issue with newbies in general, so I'm posting it so that others can maybe learn from my mistakes.

I arrive at the shop to get the bike fitted again and the original person that helped me (let's call him H) was there and had been pre-warned about what I wanted (I called earlier and told them that I wanted to come in because I wanted to make sure they were not swamped).

I explained to him my situation and he looked at the saddle I had adjusted on my own and he told me that there was little that he could do really, because in order to do a fit, I needed to go to their other shop (they have 2 locations in my city).

I was like, "huh?"

He went on to explain that they sized me, but they didn't fit me. The sizing was making sure I had the right bike (like he explained, he has short legs, so he needs a smaller bike than his height would indicate) and that the seat and handlebars are "right" based on the that. He then said that people have one longer leg than the other, stronger backs or shorter arms and all of that was handled by a professional fitter.

In the back of my head, I was wondering why I didn't ask if THAT came with the bike, before I purchased it?! I didn't think of asking, because I had just assumed.... I'm too new at this.

He then reassured me the seat wasn't too high from the handlebars because he explained again that on his bike, there is quite a difference, but mine is pretty level to each other.

Then, he went on to explain the whole core muscle and how you have to hold yourself up with your abs and your back and that's when I started to feel patronized, but I held back and just mentioned to him that I've been doing Pilates for years, so yes, I know about core strength and I explained how this was not about holding myself up, but rather I could not let go without feeling I was going to slip forward and out of my saddle.

Another discussion about what meant -- he insisted on asking me if I had slipped and I told him I wouldn't let myself slip out because I didn't want to plant my face.

*sigh*

Anyway, he told me to change into my shorts and I did and he set up the bike on a trainer and after watching me, he switched the stem out and angled the handlebars in a different way which does feel better and closer to my body than before.

He didn't touch my saddle, even though I had played with it, because he said it's about the pressure on the saddle and only I can feel that, he can't do anything about it.

Then he had the mechanic tighten everything up again while I changed out of my shorts.

So, I'm riding on Saturday (if the weather holds) and I'll find out of these changes really make a difference or not. I'm riding again another 50 miles on Sunday (regardless of weather!) and I'll find out then if really does make a difference.

If not, then I guess I'm off to find out how much a fitting costs.

I might not care as much (my friends don't seem to have the same problems I do with their bikes) except that as soon as I touched my bike to take it in, my body remembered the pain from Sunday and instantly reacted -- I felt it in my shoulders again! How amazing the human body/muscle memory/etc., can be.

So, I do have to do something about it if this doesn't resolve it.

Moral of the Story: Sizing and Fitting are not the same

[ny biker]

Yeah, I really am not impressed with H. Don't worry about making him look bad -- he is making the shop look bad and that's not doing any favors for the people who run it.

If it helps, here is more about my experience. If this is overload, just ignore it.

I bought my first road bike at a shop that is ~15 miles from my house. I bought the second one from another location of the same LBS, which is ~20 miles away. Other shops are closer to me, but this LBS is worth the trip because they make sure you're comfortable on the bike, regardless of the kind of adjustments that are needed. They took various measurements before I bought the first bike, more than just leg length. When I had knee problems, they adjusted the cleats for free. As I mentioned earlier, they made sure the stem was right before I bought the second bike, and they adjusted new cleats for free on that bike. When I mentioned that I had elbow pain a few months later (not caused by the bike but aggravated by it), the fitter grabbed a tape measure, checked my shoulder width vs handlebar width and told me it would probably be helped by a narrower bar if the pain continued. The pain went away, but if it hadn't he would have ordered a different bar, installed it and made sure it was positioned correctly for me without charging for a fitting.

Now, if I walked in with a handlebar, cleats, saddle, etc. that I bought somewhere else and asked them to fit me with the new components, they would charge me for that. But they take responsibility for making sure the things they sell me are the right size and position. And when they check on one thing, like saddle height, they watch you pedal on the trainer and make sure everything looks right, and will makes changes to other parts of the bike (like changing the handlebar tilt when I'm there for a saddle fitting). They'll also suggest other changes for you to consider if they involve new components. At first I thought they were making the suggestions just to sell me more stuff, but every change they suggested has made me more comfortable.

They recently stripped everything off the frame so that a crack could be repaired, and then they built it back up again. Since then I've only ridden the bike indoors, but I'm planning to make an appointment in the next month or so to have them check the position of the saddle and handlebars to make sure everything is where it should be after the rebuild. I also bought a(nother) new saddle from them, and I'll have that positioned at the same time. I do not expect them to charge me.

They do offer special advanced fitting services that I think I would have to pay for if I wanted them. And if I need fit help with my mountain bike, which I bought elsewhere, I would have to pay for that. But they don't charge for basic "this is hurting/uncomfortable so can you help me" problems as long as the bike and components come from them.

[Gypsy]

I had the same problem on my road bike. It was not the bike or the fitting, it was just the way I held my body. When you get tired you naturally lean on the bars. When you stand on hills how do you feel? The saddle should be right below you butt. I also found that where you sit on the saddle makes a big difference. Good luck fitting the bike.

I live in pretty flat country, so not many hills and in the ones that we do have, I simply sit -- I don't stand. I have a friend who has been riding for ages who really believes you should sit and spin and not stand unless you absolutely have to, so we just gear down until we can go up spinning.

When you said it was about how you held your body... can you explain more? I might be holding my body incorrectly too and just not know it.

[Wahine]

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with this.

I would call the other shop and tell them the *WHOLE* story, how many times you've been in etc, etc. Tell them you want a fitting but you don't really feel like you should have to pay for one since you just bought the bike from this other store. I don't know if they will give you a fitting without additional cost. But they might reduce the rate.

I do bike fitting and I am repeatedly surprised by stories like this. It's ridiculous. There is definitely more that can be done with your fit. A good fitter will find the best position for your body and won't just to a fit by the numbers (which is really sizing as you've mentioned). And, a good fitter will be able to tell if your problem is related to the bike fit or more related to your own muscular limitations (which doesn't sound like a problem for you).

[ladyicon]

I live in pretty flat country, so not many hills and in the ones that we do have, I simply sit -- I don't stand. I have a friend who has been riding for ages who really believes you should sit and spin and not stand unless you absolutely have to, so we just gear down until we can go up spinning.

When you said it was about how you held your body... can you explain more? I might be holding my body incorrectly too and just not know it.

Most of your weight should be on the saddle and pedals, you should be able to stay in riding position when you let go and not slip forward. I also am sorry you are having problems with this. It sound more like the fit is not correct for you and you need to get this fixed before a 50 mile ride.
Did the person in the shop put a shorter stem on? Wish we could help.

[Gypsy]

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with this.

I would call the other shop and tell them the *WHOLE* story, how many times you've been in etc, etc. Tell them you want a fitting but you don't really feel like you should have to pay for one since you just bought the bike from this other store. I don't know if they will give you a fitting without additional cost. But they might reduce the rate.

I do bike fitting and I am repeatedly surprised by stories like this. It's ridiculous. There is definitely more that can be done with your fit. A good fitter will find the best position for your body and won't just to a fit by the numbers (which is really sizing as you've mentioned). And, a good fitter will be able to tell if your problem is related to the bike fit or more related to your own muscular limitations (which doesn't sound like a problem for you).

Thanks, I will do it. I'll ride this weekend and see what happens. I don't think I have time to get it set up between work tomorrow. I actually have meetings and work to do!

I'll tell them the whole story. I have to be honest, I feel like I'm tattletaling on H, but I guess I have to focus on getting a better fit for myself, rather than protecting his feelings. Ayyyyy, I'm such a freaking girl sometimes.

Most of your weight should be on the saddle and pedals, you should be able to stay in riding position when you let go and not slip forward. I also am sorry you are having problems with this. It sound more like the fit is not correct for you and you need to get this fixed before a 50 mile ride.
Did the person in the shop put a shorter stem on? Wish we could help.

I can't let go of the handlebars, even in a quiet road with no cars, I slip forward.

He took the stem and flipped it, which angled up the handlebars and then he tilted them a bit.

I wish I could get help online too, I thought I had picked a good shop for this... Eh.

I'll be calling to get fitted anyway, I'm planning on doing this sport for a long time so I can't let this stay uncomfortable, will never do the MS ride at this rate!!!

[goldfinch]

When I bought my Trek Madone a fitting was including plus any necessary follow up adjustments. I ended up going in twice.

When I bought my hybrid bike no fitting was included and no "sizing." That particular bike shop only did fitting for bikes costing a certain amount of money. I can't remember what the number was other than it was over $1000. At best, they did a quick seat adjustment. I had to pay to have that bike fitted (at a different shop). I paid $85. It took a couple of hours and included chopping my handlebars off by an inch.

[ny biker]

I would also consider going somewhere else entirely. (Sure, call and explain the whole thing, don't worry about "H"). They size, but they don't fit, and this is the first you've heard about this?

Dishonest much?

A lot of places seem to do this to newbies routinely.

Well, my LBS does things like Retul fittings, and he could be talking about something like that. It could be that H is just not very good at "sizing" or whatever you want to call it. I've had a bad experience with a guy who put a new saddle on my bike, used various protractors and rulers to figure out the correct position, and wound up setting it about an inch too high. When I told my fitter about that, he said that by watching me pedal on the trainer he knew I needed a lower seat. He's just had better training, and as a result has a better eye for what's right.

[CyborgQueen]

Usually if you buy a bike from them, the fitting will be included in the price.

I wouldn't worry about "H". However, if you feel comfortable with the other shop that did the fitting, I would mention to your fitter or the supervisor that you were confused with what shop does what, and tell them that H got you confused. And leave it like that. That's how supervisors/shop owners know if there's problems with the employees. If they don't hear stuff like this, they think everything is okie dokie.

IF you are uncomfortable about the fitting and they seem to brush you off...find another shop. What matters to you is YOU. Ignore the personal part of it, it's business.

[Gypsy]

Thanks, I will.

I actually had to go to the LBS yesterday to help out a friend and again I dealt with H and I just think we don't have chemistry. The other one (from my story, let's call him JC) was there too and he even remembers my name (he's the main fitter in this location).

I'm going to go to the store when H is off and JC is in and talk to him about the fit.

I'm going on a ride this morning so I'll know if the changes we've made are right or not.