Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum: Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB??

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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB??

SatMark

Oct 9, 08 11:39

Post #1 of 9 (506 views)

Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB??	Can't Post

Wow....I just measured from my saddle front to BB on my new custom (done by a pretty well repsected fitter 'round these parts) and I'm almost 5.25 cms in front of the bottom bracket. Granted, I'm a short guy at 5'5" (long legs/short torso), but this surprised me a bit. It does feel much better than my old position (same bike manufacturer, but not custom) where I was 2.85cms in front of the BB, and couldn't go any farther forward on the rails.

Anyone else have a position that is that far forward. I'm not 2nd guessing the postion in any way; it just sent my curiousity level up.

(This post was edited by SatMark on Oct 9, 08 11:51)

TriCeratops

Oct 9, 08 12:32

Post #2 of 9 (470 views)

Re: Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB?? [SatMark] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I rode the last two seasons with my saddle 5 cm in front of the BB, but only because that's how steep I wanted to ride (I used a 120mm stem), not because I needed to artificially shorten the top tube. I've decided to experiment this off season, so I moved the saddle back 3 cm's and put on a 90 mm stem.

But getting back to your question, there's nothing wrong with riding steep if it's by choice. If it's to compensate for an ill-fitting bike (which I hope isn't the case with your custom), then that's a different story. Did you ask your fitter for a steep position? Also, how long is the stem?

Mike Sparks

I have competed well, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

jyeager

Oct 9, 08 12:36

Post #3 of 9 (454 views)

Re: Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB?? [SatMark] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Off-hand, it sounds like he put you in a good aero time trial position.

Are you aware that the USAT limit is 5 cm in front of the BB? You'll need to slide that saddle back slightly to be in conformance.

Oh, and I'm working on adjusting my cockpit now after turning my seatpost around and moving my saddle all the way forward, just about where yours is. It's not unusual at all.

Joe Santos

Oct 9, 08 12:47

Post #4 of 9 (430 views)

Re: Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB?? [TriCeratops] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The other thing to keep in mind is that saddle setback is not a great indicator of absolute riding position. The setback measurement tells us where the saddle's point in space is relative to everything else, but what we really care about is the rider's spatial position. As we all know, a rider can sit in all sort of different locations on any given saddle. Your saddle may be 5.25 cm in front of the BB, but if it is a saddle that has a long nose and you are sitting far back on it - you're not exactly riding nearly as steep as the saddle setback indicates.

This is where motion based fit systems, like Todd Carver's Retul, can be very useful. They gather data that indicate where the rider is at spatially, regardless of the standard fixed measurement points we typically use. However, systems such as this are still inherently limited. Why? People don't ride on a trainer like they do on the road. Position changes. One of the unspoken skills of a good fitter is interpreting how a client's position will likely change when on the road.

________________________

-Joe S.

Davis Wheelworks
http://www.daviswheelworks.com
Davis, CA

The NorCal Tri, TT and Road Source For: Cervelo, Felt, Kuota, Scott, Cannondale, Look, Pinarello, Colnago, Time, Ridley, Seven. Zipp, Mavic, HED. Profile, X-Lab, Hydrotail.

cdw

Oct 9, 08 15:39

Post #5 of 9 (317 views)

Re: Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB?? [SatMark] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've been pushing the 5cm limit ever since buying my Yaqui four years ago. Fortunately, no one cares about it as long as your handlebars are plugged.

Chad

SatMark

Oct 9, 08 17:54

Post #6 of 9 (221 views)

Re: Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB?? [jyeager] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, I wasn't aware that the USAT had a 5cm limit. I've always ridden a bit steep, but this is steeper than I had been on the old frame. Stem is a 9, top tube is the same as my old TT (49), so my cockpit has effectively just been moved forward by 2+cm's (and down a small bit as well). The new STA is 79, and I think the old one was 76.5 or 77.

zipp

Oct 9, 08 18:47

Post #7 of 9 (184 views)

Re: Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB?? [SatMark] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've been riding my Zipp 2001 at 5cm in front of the bb for many years. I use a 130mm stem. I'm 6-3 with a 37" inseam and short torso.
Paul
---------------------------------------------------------
http://casasedona.com

swimfan

Oct 9, 08 19:04

Post #8 of 9 (168 views)

Re: Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB?? [SatMark] [In reply to]	Can't Post

There is no USAT limit. There is a ICU limit. In short, you can do triathlons but no TTs.
_________________________________________________

I know I can't spell... This is not going to be graded so I don't care about the grammar either...

LazyEP

Oct 9, 08 19:27

Post #9 of 9 (147 views)

Re: Saddle nose 5.25 cms in front of BB?? [swimfan] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Incorrect. USAT does have bike spec rules (& ITU uses the same language). However, unless someone protests your bike or you move out towards 10cm, it's doubtful that any official is going to measure seat placement.

5.11 Bicycle Specifications. All bicycles and bicycle equipment used in USA Triathlon sanctioned events must

conform to the specifications set forth in this Section. Any participant using a nonconforming bicycle or otherwise

violating this Section shall be disqualified.

(c) A vertical line touching the front most point of the saddle may be no more than 5 centimeters in front of and

no more than 15 centimeters behind a vertical line passing through the center of the chain wheel axle, and the

cyclist must not have the capability of adjusting the saddle beyond these limits during competition.

"It's not the age sweetheart. It's the mileage."
Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr.