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#1
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Should my seat be that far forward?
I'm a 39 yr. old male recreational cyclist who averages nearly 200 mile/week. I've experimented extensively (obsessively?) with my fit over the years. It turns out that I'm the fastest with the saddle tip a mere 3 cm behind BB, despite my very lengthy 91 cm inseam. Everything I've read says taller people should have their seats further rearward. I've tried riding in a more "normal" position -- knee near or behind BB -- for several years, including with the seat several cm lower than I have it now (81 cm, BB-center of seat). (I do understand how fore-aft affects seat height and vice-versa.) But I can still climb a 10% grade at least 2 mph faster in this "extreme forward" position . . . and I don't just mean "sprinters climbs," either. (I've often read how a forward position is "not efficient" for climbing.) And, yes, I did adjust the seat-bar distance when moving the seat back. (I now know how reach can also dramatically affect power output.) Any idea on why the "fast-forward" position is fastest for me? Could it be related to my job as a mailman, with all the standing and walking it entails? (Is that the reason tri-athletes use the forward position, because they also run?) Or, am I not doing something correctly? |
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#2
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Should my seat be that far forward?
On Sep 29, 9:25 pm, "Bill Sornson" wrote:
wrote: I'm a 39 yr. old male recreational cyclist who averages nearly 200 mile/week. I've experimented extensively (obsessively?) with my fit over the years. It turns out that I'm the fastest with the saddle tip a mere 3 cm behind BB, despite my very lengthy 91 cm inseam. Everything I've read says taller people should have their seats further rearward. I've tried riding in a more "normal" position -- knee near or behind BB -- for several years, including with the seat several cm lower than I have it now (81 cm, BB-center of seat). (I do understand how fore-aft affects seat height and vice-versa.) But I can still climb a 10% grade at least 2 mph faster in this "extreme forward" position . . . and I don't just mean "sprinters climbs," either. (I've often read how a forward position is "not efficient" for climbing.) And, yes, I did adjust the seat-bar distance when moving the seat back. (I now know how reach can also dramatically affect power output.) Any idea on why the "fast-forward" position is fastest for me? Could it be related to my job as a mailman, with all the standing and walking it entails? (Is that the reason tri-athletes use the forward position, because they also run?) Or, am I not doing something correctly? "Knee near or behind BB" is NOT normal -- you must have meant pedal spindle. DUH!!!!! Yeah, thats what I meant! |
#3
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Should my seat be that far forward?
On Sep 29, 7:59 pm, wrote:
I'm a 39 yr. old male recreational cyclist who averages nearly 200 mile/week. I've experimented extensively (obsessively?) with my fit over the years. It turns out that I'm the fastest with the saddle tip a mere 3 cm behind BB, despite my very lengthy 91 cm inseam. Everything I've read says taller people should have their seats further rearward. I've tried riding in a more "normal" position -- knee near or behind BB -- for several years, including with the seat several cm lower than I have it now (81 cm, BB-center of seat). (I do understand how fore-aft affects seat height and vice-versa.) But I can still climb a 10% grade at least 2 mph faster in this "extreme forward" position . . . and I don't just mean "sprinters climbs," either. (I've often read how a forward position is "not efficient" for climbing.) And, yes, I did adjust the seat-bar distance when moving the seat back. (I now know how reach can also dramatically affect power output.) Any idea on why the "fast-forward" position is fastest for me? Could it be related to my job as a mailman, with all the standing and walking it entails? (Is that the reason tri-athletes use the forward position, because they also run?) Or, am I not doing something correctly? Alexi Griewal, the Olympic medal winner, ran his seat high and very far forward. He won the Mt. Evans hill climb one year, so it must have worked for him. Smokey |
#4
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Should my seat be that far forward?
On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:59:38 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc,
wrote: Any idea on why the "fast-forward" position is fastest for me? how would anyone know without knowing your physiology and the dimensions of the bike? sounds to me like your bike is not sized correctly or some part of your body is not of "normal" proportions. |
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