Effect of raising saddle? - Page 4 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-17-2004, 08:26 AM

"Frank Krygowski" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu...
> Roger Zoul wrote:
>
> > Anyway, since folks have been telling me to raise my saddle (including
the
> > cute lady who sold me my bike
>
> ;-) I think it's time you posted the cutie's picture.
>
>
> > -- 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?
>
> 2.5 inches will make a huge practical difference!
>
> Riding a saddle that's too low is like doing a Groucho Marx duck walk
> all day long. It puts lots of unnecessary strain on your knees.
>
> You mention doing leg presses. You should be able to verify the idea
> with that machine, if it's got enough adjustment. See how much you can
> raise with your leg nearly extended, versus how little you can raise
> with your knees deeply bent.
>
> One way of setting saddle height is to lean against a wall to support
> yourself, unclip, put your _heels_ on the pedals, and backpedal. Your
> seat should be high enough so you can barely contact the pedals at their
> lowest point. (Hip rocking to "stretch" is not allowed.)
>
> If you set your seat height this way, then when you clip in properly,
> you'll have about the right bend (i.e. pretty slight) in your knees.
>
> Of course, nothing's perfect. This works pretty well if your body -
> especially shoe size - is all "normal." Feel free to make slight
> adjustements to fine tune things.
>
> With the seat high enough, you'll ride _much_ stronger.
>
> (With the seat too high, your hips might rock and cause saddle problems,
> or you may get pain in the back of the knee from over-extending.)
>
> --
> --------------------+
> Frank Krygowski [To reply, remove rodent and vegetable dot com,
> replace with cc.ysu dot edu]
>

The website for Colorado Cyclist has a fitting section that's quite
comprehensive and that's based on most of the latest thinking on proper bike
fit. Go to [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Bob C.

06-17-2004, 08:39 AM

"Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
> 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?
>
>
Roger, they should have done the proffesional fitting, BEFORE selling
you the bike, not after.
Here is a link to Sheldon's info for Beginning Cyclists, it is
informative in many areas, take a look -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Did you ever receive my email, about the wheelbuilder in your part of
the country?
For you, and anyone else, when someone on these forums, takes the time
to send you an email, it would be helpful to least send a brief reply,
"Thanks for the info". That way we'll know that you got it. And while
I'm on the subject, and this has nothing to do with Roger, if you
email someone asking for info, on say handlebars or whatever, and they
take the time to reply. Send them a quick note of thanks. And now,
let's return to our previously scheduled topic;-)

Life is Good!
Jeff

06-17-2004, 08:39 AM

"Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
> 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?
>
>
Roger, they should have done the proffesional fitting, BEFORE selling
you the bike, not after.
Here is a link to Sheldon's info for Beginning Cyclists, it is
informative in many areas, take a look -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Did you ever receive my email, about the wheelbuilder in your part of
the country?
For you, and anyone else, when someone on these forums, takes the time
to send you an email, it would be helpful to least send a brief reply,
"Thanks for the info". That way we'll know that you got it. And while
I'm on the subject, and this has nothing to do with Roger, if you
email someone asking for info, on say handlebars or whatever, and they
take the time to reply. Send them a quick note of thanks. And now,
let's return to our previously scheduled topic;-)

Life is Good!
Jeff

06-17-2004, 08:39 AM

"Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
> 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?
>
>
Roger, they should have done the proffesional fitting, BEFORE selling
you the bike, not after.
Here is a link to Sheldon's info for Beginning Cyclists, it is
informative in many areas, take a look -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Did you ever receive my email, about the wheelbuilder in your part of
the country?
For you, and anyone else, when someone on these forums, takes the time
to send you an email, it would be helpful to least send a brief reply,
"Thanks for the info". That way we'll know that you got it. And while
I'm on the subject, and this has nothing to do with Roger, if you
email someone asking for info, on say handlebars or whatever, and they
take the time to reply. Send them a quick note of thanks. And now,
let's return to our previously scheduled topic;-)

Life is Good!
Jeff

06-17-2004, 08:39 AM

"Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
> 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?
>
>
Roger, they should have done the proffesional fitting, BEFORE selling
you the bike, not after.
Here is a link to Sheldon's info for Beginning Cyclists, it is
informative in many areas, take a look -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Did you ever receive my email, about the wheelbuilder in your part of
the country?
For you, and anyone else, when someone on these forums, takes the time
to send you an email, it would be helpful to least send a brief reply,
"Thanks for the info". That way we'll know that you got it. And while
I'm on the subject, and this has nothing to do with Roger, if you
email someone asking for info, on say handlebars or whatever, and they
take the time to reply. Send them a quick note of thanks. And now,
let's return to our previously scheduled topic;-)

Life is Good!
Jeff

06-17-2004, 08:39 AM

"Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
> 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?
>
>
Roger, they should have done the proffesional fitting, BEFORE selling
you the bike, not after.
Here is a link to Sheldon's info for Beginning Cyclists, it is
informative in many areas, take a look -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Did you ever receive my email, about the wheelbuilder in your part of
the country?
For you, and anyone else, when someone on these forums, takes the time
to send you an email, it would be helpful to least send a brief reply,
"Thanks for the info". That way we'll know that you got it. And while
I'm on the subject, and this has nothing to do with Roger, if you
email someone asking for info, on say handlebars or whatever, and they
take the time to reply. Send them a quick note of thanks. And now,
let's return to our previously scheduled topic;-)

Life is Good!
Jeff

06-17-2004, 09:58 AM

Jeff Starr wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
:: news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
::: 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?
:::
:::
:: Roger, they should have done the proffesional fitting, BEFORE selling
:: you the bike, not after.

Well, they did not. the sales lady did what she could.

:: Here is a link to Sheldon's info for Beginning Cyclists, it is
:: informative in many areas, take a look -
:: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I was just reading that...

::
:: Did you ever receive my email, about the wheelbuilder in your part of
:: the country?

Yes...and I thought I wrote you back asking a question! (I use two
computers -- one at home and one at work -- I don't see the reply here.) He
is about 85 miles from where i work, so I'm going to go pick them up. i'll
probably ask him about rebuilding my present wheel, too, since I'm not sure
if I trust the LBS.

But, I have purchased a wheelset from the wheelbuilder you pointed me to. I
don't have them yet, though.

:: For you, and anyone else, when someone on these forums, takes the
:: time
:: to send you an email, it would be helpful to least send a brief
:: reply, "Thanks for the info". That way we'll know that you got it.
:: And while
:: I'm on the subject, and this has nothing to do with Roger, if you
:: email someone asking for info, on say handlebars or whatever, and
:: they
:: take the time to reply. Send them a quick note of thanks. And now,
:: let's return to our previously scheduled topic;-)

Thanks!

::
:: Life is Good!
:: Jeff

06-17-2004, 09:58 AM

Jeff Starr wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
:: news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
::: 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?
:::
:::
:: Roger, they should have done the proffesional fitting, BEFORE selling
:: you the bike, not after.

Well, they did not. the sales lady did what she could.

:: Here is a link to Sheldon's info for Beginning Cyclists, it is
:: informative in many areas, take a look -
:: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I was just reading that...

::
:: Did you ever receive my email, about the wheelbuilder in your part of
:: the country?

Yes...and I thought I wrote you back asking a question! (I use two
computers -- one at home and one at work -- I don't see the reply here.) He
is about 85 miles from where i work, so I'm going to go pick them up. i'll
probably ask him about rebuilding my present wheel, too, since I'm not sure
if I trust the LBS.

But, I have purchased a wheelset from the wheelbuilder you pointed me to. I
don't have them yet, though.

:: For you, and anyone else, when someone on these forums, takes the
:: time
:: to send you an email, it would be helpful to least send a brief
:: reply, "Thanks for the info". That way we'll know that you got it.
:: And while
:: I'm on the subject, and this has nothing to do with Roger, if you
:: email someone asking for info, on say handlebars or whatever, and
:: they
:: take the time to reply. Send them a quick note of thanks. And now,
:: let's return to our previously scheduled topic;-)

Thanks!

::
:: Life is Good!
:: Jeff

06-17-2004, 09:58 AM

Jeff Starr wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
:: news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
::: 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?
:::
:::
:: Roger, they should have done the proffesional fitting, BEFORE selling
:: you the bike, not after.

Well, they did not. the sales lady did what she could.

:: Here is a link to Sheldon's info for Beginning Cyclists, it is
:: informative in many areas, take a look -
:: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I was just reading that...

::
:: Did you ever receive my email, about the wheelbuilder in your part of
:: the country?

Yes...and I thought I wrote you back asking a question! (I use two
computers -- one at home and one at work -- I don't see the reply here.) He
is about 85 miles from where i work, so I'm going to go pick them up. i'll
probably ask him about rebuilding my present wheel, too, since I'm not sure
if I trust the LBS.

But, I have purchased a wheelset from the wheelbuilder you pointed me to. I
don't have them yet, though.

:: For you, and anyone else, when someone on these forums, takes the
:: time
:: to send you an email, it would be helpful to least send a brief
:: reply, "Thanks for the info". That way we'll know that you got it.
:: And while
:: I'm on the subject, and this has nothing to do with Roger, if you
:: email someone asking for info, on say handlebars or whatever, and
:: they
:: take the time to reply. Send them a quick note of thanks. And now,
:: let's return to our previously scheduled topic;-)

Thanks!

::
:: Life is Good!
:: Jeff

06-17-2004, 09:58 AM

Jeff Starr wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
:: news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
::: 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?
:::
:::
:: Roger, they should have done the proffesional fitting, BEFORE selling
:: you the bike, not after.

Well, they did not. the sales lady did what she could.

:: Here is a link to Sheldon's info for Beginning Cyclists, it is
:: informative in many areas, take a look -
:: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I was just reading that...

::
:: Did you ever receive my email, about the wheelbuilder in your part of
:: the country?

Yes...and I thought I wrote you back asking a question! (I use two
computers -- one at home and one at work -- I don't see the reply here.) He
is about 85 miles from where i work, so I'm going to go pick them up. i'll
probably ask him about rebuilding my present wheel, too, since I'm not sure
if I trust the LBS.

But, I have purchased a wheelset from the wheelbuilder you pointed me to. I
don't have them yet, though.

:: For you, and anyone else, when someone on these forums, takes the
:: time
:: to send you an email, it would be helpful to least send a brief
:: reply, "Thanks for the info". That way we'll know that you got it.
:: And while
:: I'm on the subject, and this has nothing to do with Roger, if you
:: email someone asking for info, on say handlebars or whatever, and
:: they
:: take the time to reply. Send them a quick note of thanks. And now,
:: let's return to our previously scheduled topic;-)

Thanks!

::
:: Life is Good!
:: Jeff