I ride a bike with a 76 degree seat tube angle and was fitted on it a couple of years ago on what a i would call a not very aggressive position but was comfortable for a beginner. As time passed I had lowered my front end and moved from regular bars to s-bends (yes, i can ride them fine and it hasnt been uncomfortable up to HIM) but I also started riding more and more toward the front of the saddle. I had a quick refitting at the begginning of the year but was told that I shouldnt move the saddle forward because it will move past the bottom bracket so I left it there and continue to ride on the front/tip of the saddle. I feel that the forward position is more comfortable for me because 1) i sense better arm support and can maintain a perfect 90 degree angle and 2) I can pedal with my knees close together better than if I am seating completely on the seat and I feel a more fluid pedal stroke specially at higher cadences.
If I move my seat forward to where the rails bend it goes past the middle of the bottom bracket about 3/4". I am not sure what the angle will be or if this will affect significantly my hip angle (I think saddle height is fine where it is) but I felt this could improve my position so I am more forward and compact and the knees still dont hit the basebar. Would this be non advisable for some reason or just move it as forward as I can? So far I have still a 10mm spacer and my stem has a 6 degree raise.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I think there’s a USAT rule that the nose of the saddle can’t be more than 5 cm in front of the bottom bracket, but beyond that, if it fits comfortably and you can generate good power, go for it. Just watch that you don’t curl up your abdomen/lower back too much - you want your lungs to be able to fully expand.
I’ve been riding for years at 5cm in front of the Bottom Bracket. This allows me to be lower without closing the hip angle. I’m tall with a very short torso, so by moving forward I can get lower. its hard to be lower without moving forward with my body type, 6-3, 37" inseam and long arms. I’m currently riding up to a 20cm drop on my sprint bike and a 17cm drop on my longer distance bike. AND I’m still not close to flat, long arms does that.
Your bike WILL get twitchy the further you move forward. Once used to it…its fine.
Tks for the reply. I wasnt even aware USAT had rules regarding angles and position like that… I havent been on a long ride with this saddle position but i rode the trainer for some minutes and anatomically it felt better. I think the bigger reason is that I feel my legs come together better than when I am back in which case they tend to open at the knees. I dont use a power meter but i feel a more fluid pedal stroke this way.
I ride a bike with a 76 degree seat tube angle and was fitted on it a couple of years ago on what a i would call a not very aggressive position but was comfortable for a beginner. As time passed I had lowered my front end and moved from regular bars to s-bends (yes, i can ride them fine and it hasnt been uncomfortable up to HIM) but I also started riding more and more toward the front of the saddle. I had a quick refitting at the begginning of the year but was told that I shouldnt move the saddle forward because it will move past the bottom bracket so I left it there and continue to ride on the front/tip of the saddle. I feel that the forward position is more comfortable for me because 1) i sense better arm support and can maintain a perfect 90 degree angle and 2) I can pedal with my knees close together better than if I am seating completely on the seat and I feel a more fluid pedal stroke specially at higher cadences.
If I move my seat forward to where the rails bend it goes past the middle of the bottom bracket about 3/4". I am not sure what the angle will be or if this will affect significantly my hip angle (I think saddle height is fine where it is) but I felt this could improve my position so I am more forward and compact and the knees still dont hit the basebar. Would this be non advisable for some reason or just move it as forward as I can? So far I have still a 10mm spacer and my stem has a 6 degree raise.
Opinions welcomed.
Peace
Smack your fitter upside the head and remind them that you are a triathlete and not a pure road TT racer. If you are comfortable riding steep, and you sit out on the tip of the saddle anyway, I can’t see any reason to avoid moving the saddle forward to match your butt just because the tip of the saddle will go in front of the center of the BB. The road guys ride on the front of the saddle because their rules restrict the location of the saddle. You don’t have that restriction until 5cm IN FRONT of the BB, so I say move it forward, at least a bit.
