Saddle Adjustment

Cycling has long been a fun and enjoyable American pastime. Whether you are an avid recreational bicyclist or a competitive rider, there are some basics that you should know about the care and maintenance of your bicycle. This includes knowing how to adjust your bike saddle.

Why Saddle Height is Important

Unless the saddle is very uncomfortable, some people don''t think to change the saddle height or make saddle adjustments. However, proper seat alignment is important for several reasons. For one thing, not everyone is shaped the same way. Adjusting your bicycle saddle will make the bike conform to your body, instead of your body having to conform to the bike. If your saddle height isn''t right for your body, you''ll feel it in your backside, in your hip joints and in your knees.

Secondly, proper seat alignment allows for a more effective distribution of energy from your body to the pedals. This means that, with the proper saddle adjustment, each downward pedal that your foot makes will produce maximum forward propulsion of the bicycle. This translates into a more energy-efficient bike ride.

How to Adjust Your Bike Saddle Height

One easy way to adjust your bike saddle height is to take your bicycle to a bike shop. The people there are well-versed in adjusting bicycle saddles and can help you learn how to adjust the saddle, or give you an expert saddle adjustment. People who work in bike shops know the more technical ways to help cyclists of all levels adjust their saddles for the best possible ride.

Here are the steps you need to follow to adjust your bike saddle yourself:

1. Before adjusting your bike saddle, and while the bike is securely propped up with the kickstand, take a look at the saddle mechanism. Be familiar with how to tighten and loosen the bike saddle before you climb on to adjust it.
2. After adequately familiarizing yourself with the mechanism, straddle the bicycle. It will probably be a good idea to not use the kickstand, as it will get in the way of the saddle adjustment. Hold onto a wall or other stationary object to keep your balance.
3. Turn the pedals so that one is at the highest point while the other is at the lowest position. When your feet are resting on the pedals, your knees should extend almost fully. You can also place the heel of your foot on the low pedal and tweak the saddle height so that your leg is fully extended when in this position.

4. In order to actually adjust the saddle, loosen the bolt that holds the saddle in place. Do not take this off completely. Simply loosen the bolt and move the seat either up or down to make your adjustments.

Bike Saddle Tilt

You can also adjust your bicycle saddle by adjusting the saddle tilt.Bike saddle tilt, however, is really an issue of personal preference.

Once you have the saddle height adjusted properly, experiment with saddle tilt. You might have to try many different angles before you find one that works best for you.

Resources

Brown, Sheldon (updated August 25, 2002). Bicycle Saddles. Retrieved April 17, 2008, from the Sheldon Brown Web site.

eHow, Inc. (2006). How to determine the correct saddle height for your bike. Retrieved December 5, 2006, from the eHow Web site.

Lovett, Richard A. (2000). Adjusting a bicycle: Saddle subtlety. Retrieved December 5, 2006, from the Away.com Web site.

REI (2006). Bike fit basics. Retrieved December 5, 2006, from the REI Web site.