Let's keep this going in hopes that I (we), will learn more about this subject. Yes geometry differences no doubt cause different saddle set back. Here is a case in point. A Cannondale Flash 3 hardtail with app.72 degree seat tube angle has the bottom bracket in line with the seat tube. A Trek Superfly full suspension with the same seat tube angle has the bottom bracket app. 2 cm rearward of the seat tube. With the saddles jammed all the way rearward on both bikes you end up with app. 73 deg. seat angle on the Cannondale and app. 75 deg. seat angle on the Trek. What to do?
By the way the Cannondale comes stock with a 2 cm offset seat post. The Trek comes stock with a zero offset seat post. I assume this means that the manufactures believe this to give a correct fit. I also notice that not many mountain bikes have the bottom bracket located rearward of the seat tube. Does this mean that hartails should be ridden with slacker seat angle than full suspension bikes?
Also researching the subject I have found some information to suggest that we should set the saddle set back in line with the proper balance technic, ie: saddle forward as far as possible while being able to remove the hands from the bars without doing a nose dive as with a road bike.
I understand you cannot give a complete fitting on a mountain bike while in a stand because of all the variables of the trail but we should be able to develop a system that gets riders to a generic point in space that gets them very close.
PS. Dont give me any of that drop a plum bob from the knee crap!!!
Cap
http://www.fulltiltfitting.com
http://www.fulltiltfitting.com
By the way the Cannondale comes stock with a 2 cm offset seat post. The Trek comes stock with a zero offset seat post. I assume this means that the manufactures believe this to give a correct fit. I also notice that not many mountain bikes have the bottom bracket located rearward of the seat tube. Does this mean that hartails should be ridden with slacker seat angle than full suspension bikes?
Also researching the subject I have found some information to suggest that we should set the saddle set back in line with the proper balance technic, ie: saddle forward as far as possible while being able to remove the hands from the bars without doing a nose dive as with a road bike.
I understand you cannot give a complete fitting on a mountain bike while in a stand because of all the variables of the trail but we should be able to develop a system that gets riders to a generic point in space that gets them very close.
PS. Dont give me any of that drop a plum bob from the knee crap!!!
Cap
http://www.fulltiltfitting.com
http://www.fulltiltfitting.com