Effect of raising saddle?

06-16-2004, 05:36 PM

Wow....went to the LBS today to pick up my bike with the rebuilt rear wheel
(28 spokes, 240 lbs rider). Don't know yet if they did a good job or
not --- TBD.

Anyway, since folks have been telling me to raise my saddle (including the
cute lady who sold me my bike -- I think she was afraid for me at first so
played it safe), I thought to ask for some assistance on getting it close
(they're pushing me to pay the $100 for a professional fitting). Anyway,
one of the guys (a mechanic and one of the two people there who does the
fittings) decides to help me out...puts the bike on the trainer and has me
start riding. By then end of 30 minutes or so, he has raised the saddle
hight by 2.5 inches!!

I'm wondering what practical difference this will make?

I have encountered a couple of cases where I had some knee issues, but since
I workout in the gym and blamed one incident on that (I felt some funniness
on the leg press). The other I blamed on going clipless with stock SPD
pedals with no (or little) float. I knew having the saddle too low might be
an issue, but since there were multiple factors at play....

The LBS claims I should get more power on the stroke and maybe less fatigue
while riding (that would be great!). Some older fellow said something
similar as he dropped me on the road trying to catch up to his wife on her
recumbent.