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When you want to buy your first road bike, you can't go wrong with choosing its size. After learning how to choose the size of your bike, today we're going to tell you how to measure the height of a bike saddle.
Why measure the height of a bike saddle
To be positioned correctly on one's road bike, it is necessary to determine the height of one's saddle properly. This is because the wrong saddle height - whether it's too high or too low - can lead to pain and even injury over time. On the other hand, the right saddle height will ensure you have a better pedal stroke.
To determine the right saddle height, there are several methods. Saddle height is measured from the bottom bracket axle to the saddle hollow, holding the tape measure along the seat post and pedal crank.
How to adjust the height of a bicycle saddle.
The best-known method is to measure the height of the crotch and multiply that value by 0.885. The result will give you the theoretical height at which you should adjust your saddle. Nevertheless, this value can and should be modulated according to your practice as it may not suit everyone.
Indeed, a higher saddle will give more power to the cyclist, while a slightly lower saddle will be preferred for better comfort and handling.
The simplest method - but also the least accurate - is to get on your bike and place your heel in line with the pedal. Then, you lower the pedal to dead center at the bottom, while making sure the crank is in line with the seat tube. For the saddle to be set correctly, the leg must be straight and the knee must not bend. Only, several factors can alter this measurement such as the shoes used or the length of the cranks.
The third and final method (known as the Holmes method) is the most accurate - because it takes into account how you pedal - but it requires equipment and a little help. Put your bike on a home trainer and sit on it. Start pedaling and ask a friend to film you for a minute. Then watch the recording and pause when your pedal is in bottom dead center. Superimpose a half square on the image to measure your knee angle: if the measurement is greater than 35°, raise the saddle; if it is less than 25°, lower the saddle. In fact, according to Holmes, the knee angle should be between 25° and 35°.
How to set the saddle back.
Once you have adjusted your saddle height, you now need to adjust the saddle recoil which is a second important criterion.
To do this, get on your bike and put your cranks in a horizontal position by standing on a wall or on a home trainer. Use a plumb line that you drop to the side of your knee. The wire should be aligned with the pedal axle. If it is behind the pedal axle, move the saddle forward; conversely, if it falls in front of the pedal, move the saddle back.
How to adjust the saddle tilt.
Finally, to perfect the saddle adjustment, you now need to adjust the saddle tilt. Theoretically, the saddle is supposed to be set horizontally. But in some cases, and for some riders, it may be better to adjust the tilt slightly down or up. Nevertheless, if you make this adjustment, you may feel yourself sliding forward or backward on the saddle.
For recreational road cycling, it may be helpful to tilt the seat spout forward slightly. This will reduce pressure on the perineum (which can be very painful) and shift more weight to the back of the saddle at the pelvis. This is also true for women.
In time trials and triathlons, conversely, the seat lip can be angled slightly upward to provide more stability for the rider and thus avoid sliding forward when the arms are on the extenders.
What to do if I feel discomfort on my bike despite the adjustments.
If, despite these adjustments, unusual pain persists over the miles, we advise you to opt for a full postural study in order to get adjustments made by a professional and, thus, obtain the perfect position on your bike.
Now that you know how to measure the height of a bike seat, how about finding out how to adjust the height of your bike's handlebars? And, finally, do you know how to measure your bike?
