From a roadie/time trialist perspective…Your saddle height seems very high. While your leg is almost straight, your heel is well above the pedal spindle. I like my heel to drop below the spindle with the pedal in the 6 position to enable pulling through the bottom of the stroke. I’m not a tri guy so I don’t know if you guys do this on purpose or what. I do notice that many tri people ride this way. Typically when I see the high saddle, I also notice those riders hips rocking with each stroke which would be huge pressure on the lower back. Your back would be working constantly in an attempt to keep your hips over the saddle. Additionally, this will pull your crotch into the saddle which will pull you farther forward on the saddle and off the sweet spot of any saddle.
I TT on a Saber and that saddle is actually shorter to the crank center than on my road bike. This allows me to sit a bit forward and still pull through the bottom of the stroke while on a fairly steep ST angle.
There is my .02 worth and not worth anymore than that.
I’m pretty proportional - my inseam is 33". I don’t know my torso measurements, but when I was fitted a couple years ago with a Serrota Size Cycle, the fitter told me that my torso was a little longer than average, legs a little shorter than average, for my height. The 57cm Caliente/Tiphoon is made for someone 5’9" to 6’, according to Tom D.'s website (www.bikesportmichigan.com). I would guess that you’d be good on a 57cm if your inseam measures an inch or two taller than mine.
Very interesting. Many people have made the same comment that you have about my seat being too high. I was riding about 5mm lower, but I was told by 2 fitters and numerous roadies (all of whom seem to be knowlegable) that my saddle should be a little higher. So I moved it up. I was more comfortable in the lower position, but I figured I’d listen to advice from the local fitters/riders who seem to know what they’re talking about. Time to rethink that move in light of everyone’s input.
What type of input were you looking for… From reading what you have posted in reply to people’s comments, you disagree with all of them and give reasons why you have things set the way you do. None of my business really, just an observation.
I’s like to see the tops of your ears below the highest point on your back. So, I think you can go lower in front…especially since you don’t have a gut to lay upon. As you drop in front, you might be able to drop your seat the diameter of a frog’s hair for better comfort, and, maybe more power. To get more power, though, you might have to drop two frog-hairs. As you drop that front, you may find your slightly too long stem becomes just right.
NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO…make sure you test the position with running afterward…assuming you do triathlons. The very best position on the bike may not be suitable for your run…however, because you are rather thin, I’d say you’ll probably be fine on the run at a lower front end positon than you currently have.
PS, I have no formal training in a FIST clinic or any other fitting system other than direct observation of people I’ve tried to help, and professionals that have helped me, so take that into consideration when reading any of this advice.
I’ll need to re-read all of my posts, but I don’t think I’ve disagreed with anyone. I respond by explaining my reasons for setting myself up in the way that I have. I do this so that those who offer advice can take issue with both my reasoning (the understanding part of the fitting) as well as my setup (the implementation part of the fitting).
I’m more interested in improving my fit than I am defending it (I’ve got nothing to defend - it’s just my crack at fitting myself because there’s no one within 500 miles that’s qualified to do it).