You know that you shouldn’t be able to kneel on the ground, and you’re equally aware that your feet shouldn’t be dangling two feet above terra firma. What you don’t know, however, is exactly how your saddle should be. This article will show you how to perfectly adjust bicycle seat height to suit you.
Are your toes supposed to touch the ground? Or is being able to place your feet flat on the floor the way forward? And once you know the right height you need to know how to adjust your bike saddle.
- A seat that is too low does not allow you to extend your knees properly and can jam up your diaphragm making it hard to breathe
- A seat that is too high can make you over extend for the pedal and put pressure on your tendons in the back of the knee and makes your hips rock from side to side
- Cycling Weekly says results from research by Spanish scientists have shown that a variance of 1-1.5cm from your optimal saddle position can have a huge effect on energy expenditure when riding. A change of just 0.5cm can still make a noticeable difference
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Saddle height is the simplest of adjustments you can make to your bike with probably the greatest benefit
We’ve found the best video guides to reveal all. First, Gale Bernhardt from ACTIVEdotCOM reveals how to adjust bicycle seat height and why it’s is so important.
The Importance of Correct Seat Height by ACTIVEdotCOM
Second, Global Cycling Network shows you how to ascertain your correct saddle height without paying for a bike fit.
Adjust Bicycle Seat Height by the Global
Cycling Network
Lastly, The Guardian reveals how to set your bike up like a pro cyclist.