Does seat height determine how close your knees are to the handlebars?
04-19-21, 05:18 PM
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Does seat height determine how close your knees are to the handlebars?
If you have very long legs, but short arms for your height and you buy a smaller bike, would the seat going up higher make you not have to worry about your knees hitting the handlebars?
i'm 5'10 (5'10.5-5'11 with shoes). I have a 69 inch wingspan and a 34.5-35 inch wingspan with shoes on.
am I right in thinking the higher the seat, the farther my legs are from the handlebars? Or will it not matter?
i'm 5'10 (5'10.5-5'11 with shoes). I have a 69 inch wingspan and a 34.5-35 inch wingspan with shoes on.
am I right in thinking the higher the seat, the farther my legs are from the handlebars? Or will it not matter?
Last edited by Birdbikes; 04-20-21 at 10:22 PM.
04-19-21, 05:45 PM
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That's a great question! I wish I had an answer for you and hope somebody can. I am definitely on the smaller side...(5'2" actually) and need to consider these things.
04-19-21, 06:08 PM
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Depends a little bit on the type of bike.
But in general, no. Not if the bike is about the right size for you and you have your saddle at the proper height. However if you are still riding the bike you bought when you were 12 yo, then there might be a problem with the size bike you have..
Is wing span your real wing span? Leg inseam from crotch to ground is useful. Shoulder to wrist might be helpful.
But in general, no. Not if the bike is about the right size for you and you have your saddle at the proper height. However if you are still riding the bike you bought when you were 12 yo, then there might be a problem with the size bike you have..
Is wing span your real wing span? Leg inseam from crotch to ground is useful. Shoulder to wrist might be helpful.
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04-20-21, 02:30 AM
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I had an issue with my knees hitting the bar end plugs on my CAAD10, but only when out of the saddle.
It’s a 54cm, and I should probably really be riding a 56. So I got a longer stem; a 120mm to replace the stock 100mm. The position is more comfortable, I ride faster, and I don’t hit the bars with my knees anymore.
I don’t think your saddle height will affect your knees hitting the bars. It’s much more likely to be your bar position relative to the bottom bracket. Maybe crank length.
It’s a 54cm, and I should probably really be riding a 56. So I got a longer stem; a 120mm to replace the stock 100mm. The position is more comfortable, I ride faster, and I don’t hit the bars with my knees anymore.
I don’t think your saddle height will affect your knees hitting the bars. It’s much more likely to be your bar position relative to the bottom bracket. Maybe crank length.
04-20-21, 04:34 AM
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If you have very long legs, but short arms for your height and you buy a smaller bike, would the seat going up higher make you not have to worry about your knees hitting the handlebars?
i'm 5'10 (5'10.5-5'11 with shoes). I have a 69 inch wingspan and a 34.5-35 inch wingspan with shoes on.
I was trying to decide between an 18 inch bike with a 57 cm top tube, or a 20 inch bike with a 58 cm top tube. Its an online order.
i ended up buying the 18 inch one because I read its better to get a smaller one with my proportion, but I am worried about my knees hitting the handlebars.
am I right in thinking the higher the seat, the farther my legs are from the handlebars? Or will it not matter?
i'm 5'10 (5'10.5-5'11 with shoes). I have a 69 inch wingspan and a 34.5-35 inch wingspan with shoes on.
I was trying to decide between an 18 inch bike with a 57 cm top tube, or a 20 inch bike with a 58 cm top tube. Its an online order.
i ended up buying the 18 inch one because I read its better to get a smaller one with my proportion, but I am worried about my knees hitting the handlebars.
am I right in thinking the higher the seat, the farther my legs are from the handlebars? Or will it not matter?
