[Shad6Bones]

I am getting back into riding after a few years off. The trails around here qualify as XC riding.

What should my seat height be? Because...

I feel like my seat height is ridiculously high. I have about 1 inch left to give on my Thomson seatpost. The seat is roughly 3 - 4 inches above the handle bars.

And the seat just looks high!

But I have long legs and when I ride, my leg is extended with a little bend left to give. (

Thoughts?

Is this just psyhcological with me? Is it traditionally okay for XCers to have high seats?

-S6

 

[kylejohn4543]

On your bike, when the pedals are at 12 and 600 positions, you're heel on the 6:00 pedal should be fully extended.

Get it?. Heel on 6 oclock pedal, leg fully extended.

 

[Shad6Bones]

My heel or knee?

 

[kylejohn4543]

The pedals are perpendicular to the ground. Sit on your bike. Put your heel on the lowest pedal. With your heel on the pedal, your leg should be just about fully extended. I'm explaining as easy as i can without showing you. Sorry.

 

[Shad6Bones]

Okay... I guess you are using your heel to set the seat height. I am used to the ball of my foot only touching the pedal... I think I see where you are coming from now...

So kyle, your saying it doesnt matter how high your seat goes as long as you have the full extention?

 

[Bikinfoolferlife]

Kyle's just trying to give you one of the general guidelines to set your seat height in relation to leg extension. Doesn't work for everyone, but it's a general guideline. Another is to set your saddle so your knee has some bend left with your foot in a normal pedaling position (i.e. ball of foot over pedal axle, but this is another general guideline, doesn't work for everyone). Another is to set your seat as high as possible without rocking your hips when pedaling. On a road bike you use these formulas more than on a mountain bike; on a mountain bike you want a little more bend in your knee to help account for trail variances (or on a full suspension to account for the full extension of the suspension).

 

[kylejohn4543]

Take his answer. He explains it better

 

[Jodiuh]

I'm 5'7" with a 31" inseam (from crotch to ground). I used the fit guide on wrenchscience.com and they told me 27" from the Bottom Bracket to the middle of my saddle. It seems to be a great starting point, but I think I'll be around 28" for most riding (XC).

 

[MSU_Grad_121]

I feel like my seat height is ridiculously high. I have about 1 inch left to give on my Thomson seatpost. The seat is roughly 3 - 4 inches above the handle bars.

Not to sound like too big an idiot, but are you sure you're on the right size frame? If your seat is 3 or 4 inches above your handlebars, I'd say that's excessive. Of course, without seeing how it fits you, I can't say for sure, but that just doesn't sound right (unless you're one of those people whose legs go all the way up to their neck). What's your inseam and what size frame do you have?

Ross

 

[kylejohn4543]

to be totally honest, i was thinking that too. I have a 13" frame from who know's how many years ago, right now i need about a 17.5 and have 1" or so left. I'm just waiting for the cash to get one