Seat height

[michelle_s]

Hi all,

So I googled what height my seat should be and changed it. It seems great while I'm riding but when I come back in after a while or so I have a lot of pain in the right side of my shoulder near my blade and I get a stiff neck and can't turn it fully. Should I put the seat up higher or lower?

[mitzikatzi]

Damien Oldmeadow at Physiotherapy Solutions. He is a physio, has the bike trainer setup in there, works with lots of elite cyclists (including Chris Hoy when he is in Perth).

Unlike bike stores, he will look at your body and movements and then get your fit correct.

If you have private health cover, you can claim it!

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=39734&p=816591&hil ... ng#p816591" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=58085&p=875345&hil ... ng#p875345" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[michelle_s]

Oh wow thanks

[ohexploitable]

shoulder/neck pain indicates too much weight is being supported by your hands

the cause is some combination of:
-saddle too far forward
-saddle tilted down
-handlebars too low

also could be a result of too wide handlebars

[michelle_s]

Hmmm okay I might lower my seat a bit and see how I go. I can't afford a proper bike fit at the moment so I'll see what I can do.

[jasonc]

Hmmm okay I might lower my seat a bit and see how I go. I can't afford a proper bike fit at the moment so I'll see what I can do.

a proper bike fit is cheaper than months of physio and similar amount of time off the bike

[michelle_s]

Yeah of course it is but if I don't have the money for a bike fit I'm going to have to try and find a temporary solution.

[GTPilot]

have a read over Steve Hogg's site and blog. plenty of info there to give you something to work from, Steve knows what he is talking about on the topic.
This article from his site is also a great source of info.

http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/art ... -injuries/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[London Boy]

Yeah of course it is but if I don't have the money for a bike fit I'm going to have to try and find a temporary solution.

I don't think I'd drop the saddle to fix a shoulder problem. Move it back and set it at the right height for your leg length and then adjust the bars.

Best quick method I know is to measure your inseam and multiply by 1.07. Your saddle should then be moved so that the distance from top of saddle to the pedal (bottom dead centre) is the figure you just worked out. It's not perfect, but it's close.

I'd then lift your bars. Shift a spacer or two to bring them up, and if necessary swap the stem so it angles up rather than down.

The problem with just dropping your saddle is it then means your legs don't get the chance to work properly, and you could be encouraging knee problems.

[jaythefordman]

Saddle height won't fix your issue, as said saddle height really is all about your legs. More often than not it will be bar height and reach. Sounds more like you have your bars too wide, or too much weight on them. try bringing them up with spacers and see. Also check your stem length as well.

As said, find the cash to do a proper fit, saves you a lot of time and potential for injury

[Homo Suburbiensis]

Make sure you know what you are doing before you change stuff. Steve hogg's website is a good place to start.

Aimlessly adjusting the bike is not good and will surely lead to injury.

[il padrone]

Last time I was suffering from sore shoulders and arms I eventually tilted my saddle nose up a touch. Sore shoulders disappeared. I had been unconsciously slipping forwards and continuously using my arms to hold myself in position. With the saddle tipped up about 5-10 degrees I stay put on the seat.

[Downhill]

+1 to all the previous comments re getting a proper bike fit, moving the seat back a few millimetres, tilting it up a little, raising the 'bars, and if necessary, reducing the stem length. Also, if you have a visor on your helmet, try riding without it. You won't need to raise your head as far to look forward, and this might take some of the pressure off your neck. Don't try changing everything all at once though, just change one thing at a time and then try riding a few k's to check the result.

If you want a rough guide to checking your seat height, try this: Start off out of the saddle. Then, with your foot at the bottom of the pedal stroke and your leg just comfortably bent, try sliding your seat under your butt. It should be a comfortable sliding fit. If you have to stand on tip-toe, or stretch, or tilt your hips (or the bike), then the seat is too high. If it's not a sliding fit, then the seat is probably too low.

[recumbenteer]

Perfect way to solve ALL cycling pains....see the light & come to the dark side...get a recumbent
You won't go back.


http://rvvelonaut.blogspot.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rdp_au]

Perfect way to solve ALL cycling pains....see the light & come to the dark side...get a recumbent
You won't go back.


http://rvvelonaut.blogspot.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can't argue with that

[warthog1]

Perfect way to solve ALL cycling pains....see the light & come to the dark side...get a recumbent
You won't go back.


http://rvvelonaut.blogspot.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can't argue with that

Unless of course you like to participate in social or bunch rides, or like to race, or climb, or ride single track, or downhill mtb.

[recumbenteer]

Perfect way to solve ALL cycling pains....see the light & come to the dark side...get a recumbent
You won't go back.


http://rvvelonaut.blogspot.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can't argue with that

Unless of course you like to participate in social or bunch rides, or like to race, or climb, or ride single track, or downhill mtb.

I'm always up for social and bunch rides....social riders wait for me at the top of hills ... I pass them going down the other side LOL
Bunch rides....damn roadies are too slow on the flats...
Racing bents.... get all the "Classic Big Tour" riders on bents.... THEN we will see some climbing fun!!!!
Climbing bents.... 15 years riding 18kg bents.... I'd probably beat any DF rider uphill.... better technique... no standing on the pedals, I have much bigger thighs.. PMSL
Single track ..... meh! why bother.... I've just ridden my Rotovelo Across Australia.... I guess by doing THAT, it's a "single track" LOL
Downhill.....ALWAYS!!
Downhill mtb.... "wateva" LOL