UKC

Saddle position question

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 The Potato 18 Mar 2020

Id usually class myself as an endurance rider prefering 40-120 mile rides.
I went for a bike fit recently just to check if there were any tweaks that could improve my positioning and one of the things they said was my saddle was quite far foreward compared to the 'norm'.
Ive not really had any pains or discomfort, but I am aware that I use my quad muscles more so I looked in to the fore/aft position setup. Some sites advocate the KOPS method whereas others use more complex methods or simply set up to how it feels.
I going to try having my saddle further back (with a shorter stem) to see if I can use my Glutes more but I do wonder why TT riders do so well with their saddles so far forwards.

Whats your thoughts good folks?

 LastBoyScout 18 Mar 2020
In reply to The Potato:

As was once explained to me by a good bike fitter, a TT position is the same as a road position, but rotated forwards around the bottom bracket. So, think lower bars and so on.

OP The Potato 18 Mar 2020
In reply to LastBoyScout:

that makes a lot of sense, i hadnt visualised it like that

Rigid Raider 18 Mar 2020
In reply to The Potato:

TT riders sit on the front of their saddles, hence the expression "on the rivet" for somebody who is giving it some beans. I'd guess that the position is bearable for the duration of a TT because so much body weight is being taken by the legs working at top power. 

For a leisure rider, surely the best position is "what's comfortable"? You could mess around with your saddle postion using all the usual rules like the front axle being out of sight below the bars when your position is correct but your muscles will have grown used to your position and even tiny changes will feel strange for a while. 

FWIW I have a Specialized Roubaix, which is a pure endurance bike, and a Bianchi Specialissima, which is a lightweight climbing bike. The sitting positions couldn't be more different but over my standard little private TT circuit from home there is little difference in the overall speeds, the Spesh is faster down hills as it's heavier and more aero but the Bianchi is slightly faster on average as it's 3 kgs lighter. 

gezebo 18 Mar 2020
In reply to The Potato:

If you went for another bike fit somewhere else I’m sure they’d probably suggest something else. 
 

As suggested if it’s comfortable and works for you then don’t worry. Maybe have a play when you’re out and about. For the vast majority of us mortals comfy bike is much better than a performance orientated position. 

 GrahamD 18 Mar 2020
In reply to The Potato:

Just make sure you record what your existing position is !

I had a bike fit once (guy coached Emma Pooley for a short while) and he moved my saddle back and fitted a longer stem. I'm back to a compromise stem / saddle position now though which might not be as fast but it's a better endurance fit for what I do mainly. 

 Yanis Nayu 18 Mar 2020
In reply to The Potato:

I don’t know tbh, but this is an interesting read on bike fitting:

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com


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