That would definately be higher than I ride (and I ride 125 to 150 miles per week). Through trial and error I have found the best position for me to be sitting on the seat and just being able to scuff the top of the pedal without rocking the hips (without shoes). Beware of the tape measure methods as seat shape can cause big errors. I was using a Concor saddle on my Torpado and simply matching the seat height measurement from my reference bike ('71 58 cm Raleigh Pro dialed in perfectly - tempted to loctite the seat and handlebar positions). I was never comfortable and when I did the heel to pedal test I found that the contour of the saddle resulted to an actual seat height nearly a CM above my reference bike!
Paul Raley
Keeping a low profile in Leonardtown MD
marcus.e.helman@gm.com wrote:
>I followed Chuck Schmidt's link:
>
>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/
>
>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
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>
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