Saddle height

[Wallie]

Hi all,

I've just become the new owner of an Aggatu (arrived this morning from 50 cycles after ordering it on Wednesday) and I know this is a silly question but what is the general view on saddle height? Should I be on tip toes as against the ground? Sorry if this is a bit dumb but I haven't ridden a bike for sometime!

 

[Citrus]

I like to ride with my legs very nearly straight on the downward stroke for maximum efficiency. On my Agattu this means that I am on the tips of my toes when stationary.

 

[john]

In theory, tiptoes would be about right, but if you have not ridden a bike for a while I would suggest staring with it lower and gradually raising it as you felt comfortable to do so. Ideally, when pedalling, your knees should be come almost, but not quite straight.

 

[fcurran]

I like my legs to be virtually straight on the downward pedal, it allows me to generate more power when pedalling. As stated before though, if you are new to cycling then its probably best to have the seat lower to start with.

FrankC

 

[davidw]

A long, proven and established formula is that with the pedal crank in line with the down tube of the bike the distance from the pedal centre to the top
of the saddle should be 1.09 x your inside leg measurement.
All I can add is that this gave me many years of comfortable riding.

 

[Footie]

As already said, you will get the maximum power and comfort if your leg is straight on the lowest pedal point.
Unfortunately, if you are short in the legs (like me) there's no easy compromise. I've got mine set for max power (got steep hills) but it means I can't reach the ground when seated.
I have to dismount when stopped or I fall over
.

 

[Beeping-Sleauty]

.... if you are short in the legs (like me) there's no easy compromise. I've got mine set for max power (got steep hills) but it means I can't reach the ground when seated.
I have to dismount when stopped or I fall over
.

me too. think it's called hobbit syndrome, but i feel much safer with at least one foot firmly on the ground when stopped, especially with a really heavy bike. Avoid stopping if i can, cruising slowly to lights & junctions and have a fast re-mount from stop, being reseated before my push-off foot has reached the bottom of the first turn, more like a hop on really, find toe-clips make this easier,

29 inch beeper

 

[easycommuter]

I was told by a friend who was a PE teacher and had studied exactly this question at college, to raise the saddle as high as you could, to get maximum efficiency. I raised my saddle, till my leg was definitely straight on the downward stroke, if not I was almost on tip top. I needed to came off my saddle to actually stop, but as this rarely happens on my commute, this was a small price to pay, against how much easier it was to actually cycle.

However after a few weeks, I found I started having knee problems. At the time I thought this was just due to age, but went to see the Doctor anyway. The Doctor who was also an avid cyclist and knew I had cycled, said the first thing to do was try lowering the saddle. I don't know the medical reason, but the knee twinges stopped within a few days. So whilst I might be sub-optimizing on my commute, my knees are very grateful

 

[fcurran]

I was told by a friend who was a PE teacher and had studied exactly this question at college, to raise the saddle as high as you could, to get maximum efficiency. I raised my saddle, till my leg was definitely straight on the downward stroke, if not I was almost on tip top. I needed to came off my saddle to actually stop, but as this rarely happens on my commute, this was a small price to pay, against how much easier it was to actually cycle.

However after a few weeks, I found I started having knee problems. At the time I thought this was just due to age, but went to see the Doctor anyway. The Doctor who was also an avid cyclist and knew I had cycled, said the first thing to do was try lowering the saddle. I don't know the medical reason, but the knee twinges stopped within a few days. So whilst I might be sub-optimizing on my commute, my knees are very grateful

I don't think your knees should lock out, that could be why you had knee problems. From what I understand the leg should be almost straight but not locked out. Touching the ground is less important as a couple have mentioned, however if you are unsteady, then it would be advisable to lower the seat until you gain in confidence.

 

[Joe]

i would agree frank on the downward stroke you should be stopping short of a straight leg to maintain an ever so slight flex at the knee. its not a strange question to ask at all re saddle height as you can at best be inefficient with the wrong height and at worse over time damage your knee joints.

 

[fcurran]

It's also worth noting that if you find your seat uncomfortable it could be worth adjusting the angle of the seat and tilt it either slightly more forwards or backwards depending on the current position. This can effect both knees and back issues that you may get.

Here's to comfortable cycling!

FrankC

 

[Wallie]

Thanks for all your responses - doesn't seem like a daft question, after all. I used to do martial arts and sometimes have problems with my knees as a result so your kind responses are a real help. Now, if it would only stop raining...

 

[fcurran]

You need to head to Sunny old Bath then!! It's a lovely day here!

 

[Wallie]

It is now starting to brighten up in Bedfordshire so I might still be able to undertake a maiden trip this evening!

 

[fcurran]

GO ON WALLIE!! Let us know how you get on!

 

[Beeping-Sleauty]

It is now starting to brighten up in Bedfordshire so I might still be able to undertake a maiden trip this evening!

yeah... c'mon Wallie, wheel it out & give it a whirl....

 

[Wallie]

Loved every minute of my first trip - including the hill near my home. I was a bit worried about going on the roads but it was all good. In addition, I feel as if I've had a good workout without strain and demotivation - can't wait to get out on it again!

Here's to a dry Spring and Summer!

 

[StrangeFish]

As already said, you will get the maximum power and comfort if your leg is straight on the lowest pedal point.
Unfortunately, if you are short in the legs (like me) there's no easy compromise. I've got mine set for max power (got steep hills) but it means I can't reach the ground when seated.
I have to dismount when stopped or I fall over
.

Hi Footie! Ah! yes, I think you have hit the proverbial nail on the head there. I am in exactly your situation, and I may well have to raise the saddle another inch or so, or leave it where it is and continue bending the old knees a bit too much. I am not sure what to do really as I have "dodgy" knees.