How to set the saddle on the bike and at what height should the handlebar be? The answer to this question is the key to a pleasant and - above all - he althy driving. Unfortunately, you can often see cyclists who, at first glance, have incorrectly adjusted their two-wheeler. Sometimes you do not see errors in adjusting the bike right away, but after some time knee and back pain appear. How to adjust the height of the saddle and handlebar so that it can be ridden comfortably and safely?

Improperadjusting the bikecan have different effects: if someone's saddle is set too low, the pedaling position is cramped and he almost touches the handlebars with his knees, looking like on a younger sibling's bike . On the other hand, when the saddle is too high, the leg must be fully extended to reach the pedals, and this causes excessive muscle tension. Equally often, cyclists have difficulty adjusting the handlebars, which can lead to back, neck, and shoulder pain.

Find outhow to adjust the height of the saddle and handlebar on a bikeso that riding it is not only pleasant, but also safe.

Contents:

  1. How to set the saddle on a trekking bike?
  2. How to set the handlebar on a trekking bike?
  3. How to adjust the city bike?
  4. How to set the saddle on a road bike?
  5. How to set the handlebar on a road bike?
  6. How to choose a bicycle saddle?

How to set the saddle on a trekking bike?

The trekking bike works well both during recreational rides and longer trips, which is why we can see it so often on the streets. There are several proper methods of adjusting the saddle in this type of bikes:

1. Method 109%

The 109% method is one of the most popular and, at the same time, the oldest methods of adjusting the bicycle - it was developed in 1967. It says that the correct height of the saddle should be 109% of the length of the inside leg - this will allow us to calculate the ideal distance between the top of the seat and the center of the pedal axis.

The 109% method used to be more popular, now it is giving way to more accurate methods - LeMond and Holmes.

How do we measure?We stand with our back to the wall (with our heels touching it) in the shoes in which we ride the bike. Between the legs we put a thin book as an equivalent of a saddle. It must fit snugly to the crotch - just like a saddle. Mark the place on the wall where the top edge of the book touches the crotch (or ask someone for help) - multiply the result by 109%. It is worth taking the measurement several times and averaging it.

2. LeMond method

This method was developed by one of the Tour de France winners, Greg LeMond. It is also popular and is one of the varieties of the 109% method. First you need to measure the length of the inside leg, using the method known from the 109% method. Then you need to multiply the obtained value by 0.883 - this way we get the distance between the center of the support and the upper part of the saddle. The meter mark should be placed along the line of the seat tube.

3. Holmes method

For calculations using the Holmes method, use a goniometer, i.e. a device for measuring angles. The method assumes that the knee angle should be between 25 and 35 degrees with the pedal at its lowest. The Holmes method is considered to be the most accurate, although initially, if we are used to a lower saddle setting, we may feel some discomfort. After a week or two of regular driving, however, it should disappear.

4. Heel method

A very popular method of bike adjustment that does not require any complicated calculations. It consists in placing the heel of the shoe on the pedal in the lowest position, with the leg straight. The height of the saddle should be adjusted so that the pelvis remains horizontal in this position.

This method is not considered effective, however. Firstly, because nobody rides in the straight-leg position, secondly - it does not take into account individual factors, such as the different length of a person's foot, differences in the length of the femur and tibia.

Read also: What bike to buy? Choosing a bike to suit your riding style

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How to set the handlebar on a trekking bike?

After adjusting the saddle height, adjust the handlebar height.

The first factor to consider is the positioning of your hands on it. For recreational riding a trekking bike, it is enough for the angle between the shoulder and the torso to be less than 90 degrees - it does not have to be exactly the same as for performance-driven road cycling. The rider's comfort is paramount, and the height of the handlebar can be the same as the height of the saddle, later in the season.it can be lowered gradually. The rule is that the more vertical we adopt, the more comfortable we are to ride.

Another parameter that should be taken into account when adjusting the handlebar on a bicycle is its width. Here again, the determinant should be the comfort of the person who will travel many kilometers by bike. It's best to choose a bike with a handlebars that you feel comfortable with, keeping your hands shoulder-width apart. Also, remember to position the handles and grips in such a way that they are easy to reach and you don't have to twist your wrists to grab them.

Worth knowing

How to adjust the city bike?

A person riding a city bike assumes a more upright position than on a trekking or road bike. The upright silhouette means greater driving comfort, and the steering wheel is bent in the shape of the so-called swallows allow comfortable hand positioning and an even more pleasant ride. Thanks to the upright figure, we maintain greater stability on the bike.

The seat on the city bike is set again using the LeMond or Holmes method, but the handlebar, unlike in the trekking bike, should be setat least 5 cm higher than the seat . Thanks to this, more body weight will be transferred to the rear of the bike, but it will not rest on the wrists and shoulders. This solution again serves the greater comfort of riding a city bike.

How to set the saddle on a road bike?

Road cyclists devote a lot of attention to the right saddle height, and the recommended methods are those that work best also for a trekking bike - the LeMond method or the Holmes method. In the case of a road bike, it is best to avoid the tilt of the saddle - it should be horizontal - unless you use an aerodynamic handlebars, then you can tilt it by one or two degrees.

How to set the handlebar on a road bike?

When it comes to adjusting the handlebar on a road bike, it has different rules than the one on a trekking bike. A road bike often means riding on time and the desire to achieve the best results, so it is best to place your hands on the handlebar so thatthe angle between the shoulder and the torso is 90 degrees- bending your arms in the elbows will increase the comfort of riding, and the greater their bend, the more aerodynamic the silhouette becomes.

The stem on the road bike should be mounted 2-2.5 cm lower than the saddle.

When it comes to the height of the handlebar on a road bike, the rule is that the lower it is to the saddle, the less air resistance it fightscyclist. As with a trekking bike, the length of the handlebar should match the width of the shoulders. If it is wider, the ride will be more comfortable, but it will result in slower turning.

This will be useful to you

How to choose a bicycle saddle?

  • The saddle should not be too hard or too soft - riding on a hard saddle is uncomfortable from the beginning, and falling in a too soft saddle leads to painful abrasions;
  • saddle with carbon or titanium rods best absorbs vibrations;
  • if you frequently change your position on the saddle - choose a longer one of variable width, if you rather keep a fixed position - choose a shorter saddle;
  • the seat should have a comfortable width - to choose it, sit on the chosen bike in the position you usually take on your own, and when you get off it, the dents on the gel cushion will reflect the spacing of your sciatic bones for which you need choose the width of the saddle.

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