saddle height

[AdamD]

Hey,
does someone mind helping me out with my saddle height before tomorrows ride. It could be ok but it seems to me that its a little low.
Thanks in advance.
-Adam

[BryanS]

Im having the same issue at the moment. Ive also noticed my knees have been stiff after rides and I think its related to the fit of my bike.

[Roland]

Get a bike fitting done. It's worth every penny. http://bbphysio.ca/cycling.html

[Paul C.]

Hi ..............Another local option for bike fitting is Barry Lycett. A retired English racer, cycle coach and fitter for 25 years. I have been to him more than once and I know a couple of other club members have too. I agree ,its one of the best return on investments we can make as keen cyclists....Barry Lycett 250 592 457o on Henderson off richmond near Camosun college. Happy riding Paul C.

[Lister Farrar]

I'd recommend Barb too, though I haven't tried her service. She's an active racer and physio as as well and can help diagnose and treat any biomechanical issues, not just the bike fit.

I can help you do the old school, basic rule of thumb kind of set up, level the saddle, knee over the pedal axle, etc. but that's only a very basic step, especially if you're starting to have issues. I think the biomechanical stuff is more important, what's moving well, what's not, vs how flat your back is or where yur knee is over the pedal. My son has had these kind of assessments for soccer from LifeMark physio, and not only can they point out possible issues and corrections, they could see his old injuries (without our help) and even predicted one. (until we started folwoing their advice.) Any non-physio cycling fitter will not be able to do that. I'd be especially careful of non-physios prescribing shims and cants. Even physios can get that wrong if they don't think from a whole body biomechanical perspective. I had a physio prescribe me orthotics for a very sore foot (usually for too much flexibility), when in fact it was a lack of flexibility in my foot that caused my problem. One $60 appt with a different physio, and some exercises, have done way more than the orthotics.

[BryanS]

Great feedback thanks you guys, i'm going to stick it out for a couple of weeks and goes away, if not Ill book an appointment

[Lister Farrar]

Hey,
does someone mind helping me out with my saddle height before tomorrows ride. It could be ok but it seems to me that its a little low.
Thanks in advance.
-Adam

One quick and dirty and fairly good rule of thumb for saddle height is go higher until your pelvis starts to rock sideways. Move up 3 to 5 mm at a time, and get someone to watch from behind if you can't feel it yourself. Even if you're tight and inflexible, it will keep you low enough to avoid pulling or friction injuries. You'll probably have to move your saddle forward as you go up.

For tall guys, there's a good discussion here. (You're borderline tall Adam, by this guys definition.)
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/06/ ... rly_121162
Warning: the knee over the pedal rule of thumb doesn't really work for tall guys, but the solution, longer cranks and a custom frame is impractical for most.