Re: [CR]seat height

(Example: Humor)

From: <NortonMarg@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 12:06:45 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]seat height
To: marcus.e.helman@gm.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 1/15/04 6:00:41 AM Pacific Standard Time, marcus.e.helman@gm.com writes:
> From:
> Answers to Rec.Bicycles' Frequently Asked Questions and Interesting
> Information
> http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ
>
> looked over a few things, and came across this:
>
> Subject: 8h.1 Seat adjustments
> From: Roger Marquis <marquis@roble.com>
>
> [More up to date copies of Roger's articles can be found at
> http://www.roble.net/marquis/]
>
> The following method of setting saddle height is not the only method
> around for setting your saddle height but it is the most popular
> among experienced coaches and riders in the US and Europe.
>
> 1) First adjust the saddle angle. It should be level or very close
> to level, with no more than 2mm slope up or down at the nose.
>
> 2) Put on the shoes you normally ride in. Don't forget to lightly
> grease the seat post and binder bolt. Have a binder bolt wrench
> ready (usually a 5mm Allen).
>
> 3) Mount the bike and sit comfortably, leaning against a wall.
> Apply a brake with one hand (or mount the bike on a turbo trainer).
>
> 4) Placing your HEELS on the pedals pedal backwards at 30+ rpm
> without rocking your pelvis (very important).
>
> 5) Adjust seat height so the gap between pedal and heel at bottom
> dead center is:
>
> 5A) ZERO TO ONE HALF CM. for recreational riders (-50 mi/wk.),
>
> 5B) ONE HALF TO ONE CM. for experienced riders (50+ mi./wk.),
>
> 5C) ONE TO ONE AND ONE HALF CM. for endurance cyclists (250+
> mi./wk.).
>
> NOTE: Modify these recommendations if your soles are considerably
> thicker at the cleat than at the heel. It can be difficult
> to make an accurate measurement without a mirror or friend
> to do a visual check of your heel and pedal at BDC. (This is
> especially true for Time and Look style cleats).
>
> 6) Ride. It may take a couple of rides to get used to the feel and
> possibly stretch the hamstrings and Achilles slightly.
>
> Roger Marquis (marquis@roble.com)
>
>
> This sounds too high to me. What do you think?
>
> Marcus Helman
> Perhaps a bit too much caffeine
> Huntington Woods, MI
>

Too high? It depends a lot on personal preference, how far back you actually sit on the bike, the size of your foot and a few other things, including how tall you are.

The old 1970s C.O.N.I. book has a section in it that advocates 108% of the riders inner leg length as the correct seat height. I found that to be way too high for me. With "heel-on-pedal" as a starting point, I raise my seat almost an inch to get where I like to pedal. That's me at 6'2", 175 cranks and size 45 shoes.

In a conversation I had with Roland Della Santa years ago, he referred to gradually raising his saddle height through the season as he got more fit. I'm pretty sure this was advice he gave to Greg Lemond when he was riding Roland's frames.

One way to find your own upper limit is to raise it a little at a time until you can feel your knee motion not quite allow fluidity in your spin. The go down to where you can feel that fluidity of motion. If your knee feels like it wants to "straighten out too much" instead of just going round the circle, you are too high.

Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA