Bahnzo

I've recently gone thru some problems with my fit. And while I pretty much think I have things back to normal, I still feel like I need to push myself back in my seat sometimes.

I read one place which says this is a sign of bars being too close. (I don't agree....but I can't ever be sure)
I also think maybe my seat instead needs to be tilted back a notch.
Or...just move the seat back?

What do people think?

bulldog1935

None of us are built the same and the position of your knees should change with riding position and saddle height.
If you want your knees farther in front of you, you're trying to get back on the saddle.
Sounds like you should move the saddle back. Other option is move it up.

Carbonfiberboy 

Usually pushing back is a result of having the saddle too far forward. Leave the saddle level and move it back.

ltxi

Just try it?

berner

I would just try it also but record the old setting as well as the new setting. If you don't measure things it is difficult to change them.

Bahnzo

Now that I really think about it, I don't want to move the seat forward/back because I have it perfectly set for the knees and the pedal spindle.

I guess what I'm confused at is I read somewhere (bikefit.com I think) that this feeling is due to the handlebars being too close, but I also feel like those are set properly.

andr0id

If you are sliding forward and having to scoot back constantly, you need to go up on the nose of the saddle.
A tiny bit goes a long way.

Carbonfiberboy 

Ignore the knee/pedal thing. There's no mechanical reason for it. It's just to get you close. Since everyone's geometry is different, there will be a good bit of variation to that in getting correct fit and balance on the bike.

rm -rf

A level saddle

A level saddle is usually the first recommendation. But not all saddles are flat topped from front to back.

I found (and saw other riders agreeing) that the nose on my type of saddle needed to be tilted up just a little. This way, the rear section where I sit is just about level.

It's a Fizik Aliante, with a curve through the top of the saddle. (and a nice smooth curve down the sides, which is why I like it.)

This internet photo is way wrong for me. The front is leveled, but that doesn't help. I would be sliding forward on this setup.



I rotated the image to show approximately how I have mine set. The very back of the saddle is just slightly tilted down toward the front, so the part I sit on just ahead of that is quite level. I just rotated the nose a couple of mm higher recently--better. It's interesting how just a tiny change can make a difference.

rm -rf

Try a tilt adjustment.

Try moving it all the way back: you can note where the rail clamp is now, and slide the seat all the way back. Go ride it, and see how that changes the feel.

Bring a wrench along on the ride, so you can readjust and try more changes.

fietsbob

Shove the level saddle back on the seat rails . Need More ?

longer stem and/or a seat post with More 'Set-Back'..

Bahnzo

I finally got a chance to ride today (and barely, the rain came right as I finished), and tilting the nose up is what was needed. Just one notch, but that one small notch did the trick.

berner

I have a similar saddle with a lower area half way back. I've set it so that it is level from the sitbone area to the nose and looks about the same as your saddle.