pepperbelly

I stay hydrated, and with the weather turning warm and humid I plan to stay ahead of it.

pepperbelly

Rode 12 miles today with my original saddle mounted. I still need to tweak it a little but it’s close to being adjusted. I mounted it with about a half bubble nose up using a 6” torpedo level.
My sit bones felt ok and there was no pressure on my nads.
I still have weight on my hands. Once I get the saddle positioned as perfectly as possible I will look at adjusting the height and reach for the handlebars.

pepperbelly

I hate to resurrect an old post but I am still trying to figure this out.
I may give in and take it to get fitted but I am stubborn and want to do it myself.
Reading back through the replies I see mentions of the handlebar to seat height. I now see the spacers that increased the stack height to yhe point my seat and the bars are basically the same height.
Tonight I lowered the seat height and moved to a little forward.
Keep in mind I bought this bike used and have no idea what was done to it before I got it. The previous owner had rotated the handlebars. Someone said it may have been to increase reach.
I found a website with the original specs for my bike. How do I measure stack height? I want to return the bike to factory specs or see if it has been changed.
How do I measure reach?

Kontact

Measuring stack and reach aren't going to tell you anything. Those are numbers that people who already have a good fit use to select bikes that will work for their fit.

You lowered the seat. What process did you use to set the seat height in the first place?

pepperbelly

The first height was sitting and putting my heel on the pedal with my knee not locked out.
I don't think I rock my hips while pedaling.
I lowered it about 1/4”-1/2” from where it was.
I may not be as precise as the rest of you.

Kontact

That seat height method is going to give you a low saddle height compared to more accepted methods.

pepperbelly

When I get a chance I will do the measuring and formula method.
One problem I have is that I am not sure exactly where I am on the saddle. I scoot back and forth.

bruce19

Maybe I missed it but what is needed is a pic of you on the bike. Your body dimensions will be one of the critical variables. And, you are asking people on a cycling forum to offer advice? I've been cycling for close to 50 yrs so I have a good idea of what my ballpark figures are. But, that ends up being an approximation. I'd go get a fit.

pepperbelly

I do need to get my wife to take a pic of me on my bike. It’s difficult for her to get the time. I will work on doing that this weekend.

pepperbelly

I read an article that gave me an idea.
I ride with flat pedals. I think I have the ball of my foot over the spindle and may have my feet slightly arched-like when running.
The article I read said the ball of my foot should be slightly ahead of the spindle and my foot should be flat on the pedal.
Would me riding like this make my seat too high?

Kontact

No. If anything the opposite.

pepperbelly

The opposite?

Wildwood 

They are flat pedals. Experiment. What feels most comfortable is the correct position. Spinner? Masher? I can't spin a flat pedal, nor climb = so what do I know?

SpedFast

First off, you need to learn how to pedal. You don't just push with one foot followed by the other. The reason a lot of people like clipless and I like pinned flat pedals is because your non-pushing foot should be pulling the pedal back and up. If you're doing this correctly, you find that your cadence is faster and definitely much smoother. I find the ball of my foot is directly in front of the spindle, but your comfort zone might be different. I rode MTB's for many years before graduating to road so I learned to keep my feel flat or with my toes up so I didn't bust any off on rocks or roots. I notice a lot of roadies with their toes pointing slightly downward, that's their comfort zone and there's nothing wrong with that. You have a trainer, so set your bike up in it and practice. So long as your not rocking from side to side, you're not too high. In time, pedaling will be second nature and then you can fine tune yourself to the bike. There really are lots of fine videos on Utube University that can get you in the ball park. But only you or a professional fitter can do the fine tuning. And even then, you'll still make slight changes as your body adapts. Good luck and keep us posted. But work on it first. Don't make us believer that you should have bought a motorized recliner. Those days will be here before you know it