Excellent video, your recommendation to start low and raise it in increments until you find the line between choppy and fluid is what a bike fitter recommended to me.
Hi there, can i ask a question? do you think the heel-to-pedal method is still relevant to measure saddle height? because in my case i feel quite comfortable with my current saddle height, but using the method I'm still lacking a few centimeters unless I'm using my running shoes (which by the way has thicker soles compared to cycling shoes).. thanks in advance :)
Hey Rino, thanks for supporting the channel. I think most methods will get you in the ballpark pretty well. But you're right in that it can vary depending on the stack height of the shoes that you cycle with. However, if you're using a method and the saddle height is off by a few cm, that is off by quite a bit actually. It may be okay to cycle 10-15km like that, but over a course of 50-100km it will likely add up to extra fatigue/discomfort.
@@ecphysiotherapy8012 thank you for your reply! what i mean was, when I'm wearing my running shoes i can place my heels (and my whole feet) firmly on the pedal. But when I'm barefooted, there's quite a gap, I'm literally tip-toeing on the pedal. Does that mean it's still too high? (i know we're supposed to wear a proper shoes like a clipless shoes, but I'm new into cycling so i haven't got the time or money to buy the shoes. I hope it can give you a figure for my question) Sorry for such a long post.. i love your videos already, they're very helpful! 👍🙏
There's no problem with using your running shoes to cycle. But definitely use the same shoes that you will be riding with to set up the saddle height, not while you're barefoot. There are a couple drawbacks to using running shoes to cycle though. When you place your foot back on the pedal, it will be in a slightly different position each time. This will change your reach to the pedals each time. Also, the soles of running shoes are meant to be soft and absorb shock. Dedicated cycling shoes are made to be stiff for improved power transfer.
Fellow cyclists...don't go out and spend hundreds of your hard earned money for someone to tell you how you should be positioned on your bike. Pro tip..listen to your body. Make little small incremental adjustments. With each adjustment, give that position on the bike some time for your body to get used to it and listen to your body. Your body will tell you where it needs to be on the bike. It all starts with the correct sized frame though...and you take it from there. Stay safe out there.
Hey TboneNY10, Thanks for your input. Yes I 100% agree. I think if you're a DIY type of person then for sure save the cash and try to sort it out on your own. However, bike fitting services are there to hopefully take out some of the trial/error process, and help shed light on the topic to those who are not exactly sure how it's supposed to feel. In a way, it's kind of like how you can put your car up on jack stands and do your own oil change for your car, or I have someone perform the service for you (not a 100% analogy but hopefully you get the point). Or getting a haircut; it's cheaper in the long run to buy clippers and do it on your own. But I don't have the co-ordination nor patience to trial/error my own haircuts LOL.
Hi Sajid, thanks for checking out the channel. If you have a leg length difference the best way to correct this is to shim the shorter leg. If there is no leg length difference, one hip/leg dropping more than the other still indicates that the saddle is too high. So try lowering the saddle in small increments until the pelvis becomes more symmetrical.
@@ecphysiotherapy8012 Thank you ! My inseam is about 77.5cm , and my saddle height is set at 81.5cm to 82cm, this gives me comfort. But as per calculations(lemond / Hamleys) I should be higher....... is this a matter of concern ?
I think a calculation and numbers are probably good for a general population, but there are more variables to consider when it comes to an individual. So I don't think it's a concern if you're comfortable on your bike and the saddle position is not causing injury/pain.
Hey Yoan, thanks for viewing the videos. In a static image, yes his knee does look like it's in a good position. We also have to look at knee angles dynamically as well. If you watch the rest of the video, watch for how his pelvis is rocking down, and how he straightens his knee more quickly through the bottom of the pedal stroke.
Hi Christine, The heel to pedal method should get you pretty close. If you find that your pelvis is rocking and feeling unstable, like you have the feeling that you're having to reach to the bottom of the pedals on each side, try lowering the saddle some more. Let me know how it goes!
@@ecphysiotherapy8012 I have it set the correct way already, but it feels unstable. I guess it is just because it is a short bike. I think I also might need to tighten my brakes some more and true my tires? Thanks for the help though. 🙂
Hi Christine, the saddle may be a bit too low if you're able to place both of your feet down at a stop light. The potential issue is the knee may stay quite flexed (bent) throughout the pedal stroke which can cause increased load on your knee cap and tendon, especially if you do tend to cycle with lower cadences (heavy gear or climbing). Usually if the saddle is at a correct height you generally need to place one foot down at stop lights/intersections. But don't just take my word for it, it would be worthwhile experimenting with it to see how your legs feel either way!
Excellent video, your recommendation to start low and raise it in increments until you find the line between choppy and fluid is what a bike fitter recommended to me.
Hi there, can i ask a question? do you think the heel-to-pedal method is still relevant to measure saddle height? because in my case i feel quite comfortable with my current saddle height, but using the method I'm still lacking a few centimeters unless I'm using my running shoes (which by the way has thicker soles compared to cycling shoes)..
thanks in advance :)
Hey Rino, thanks for supporting the channel. I think most methods will get you in the ballpark pretty well. But you're right in that it can vary depending on the stack height of the shoes that you cycle with. However, if you're using a method and the saddle height is off by a few cm, that is off by quite a bit actually. It may be okay to cycle 10-15km like that, but over a course of 50-100km it will likely add up to extra fatigue/discomfort.
@@ecphysiotherapy8012 thank you for your reply! what i mean was, when I'm wearing my running shoes i can place my heels (and my whole feet) firmly on the pedal. But when I'm barefooted, there's quite a gap, I'm literally tip-toeing on the pedal. Does that mean it's still too high? (i know we're supposed to wear a proper shoes like a clipless shoes, but I'm new into cycling so i haven't got the time or money to buy the shoes. I hope it can give you a figure for my question)
Sorry for such a long post.. i love your videos already, they're very helpful! 👍🙏
There's no problem with using your running shoes to cycle. But definitely use the same shoes that you will be riding with to set up the saddle height, not while you're barefoot.
There are a couple drawbacks to using running shoes to cycle though. When you place your foot back on the pedal, it will be in a slightly different position each time. This will change your reach to the pedals each time. Also, the soles of running shoes are meant to be soft and absorb shock. Dedicated cycling shoes are made to be stiff for improved power transfer.
Fellow cyclists...don't go out and spend hundreds of your hard earned money for someone to tell you how you should be positioned on your bike. Pro tip..listen to your body. Make little small incremental adjustments. With each adjustment, give that position on the bike some time for your body to get used to it and listen to your body. Your body will tell you where it needs to be on the bike. It all starts with the correct sized frame though...and you take it from there. Stay safe out there.
Hey TboneNY10,
Thanks for your input. Yes I 100% agree. I think if you're a DIY type of person then for sure save the cash and try to sort it out on your own. However, bike fitting services are there to hopefully take out some of the trial/error process, and help shed light on the topic to those who are not exactly sure how it's supposed to feel.
In a way, it's kind of like how you can put your car up on jack stands and do your own oil change for your car, or I have someone perform the service for you (not a 100% analogy but hopefully you get the point). Or getting a haircut; it's cheaper in the long run to buy clippers and do it on your own. But I don't have the co-ordination nor patience to trial/error my own haircuts LOL.
If you have one leg dropping more than the other , then at what height do you set the saddle ?
Hi Sajid, thanks for checking out the channel. If you have a leg length difference the best way to correct this is to shim the shorter leg. If there is no leg length difference, one hip/leg dropping more than the other still indicates that the saddle is too high. So try lowering the saddle in small increments until the pelvis becomes more symmetrical.
@@ecphysiotherapy8012 Thank you !
My inseam is about 77.5cm , and my saddle height is set at 81.5cm to 82cm, this gives me comfort. But as per calculations(lemond / Hamleys) I should be higher....... is this a matter of concern ?
I think a calculation and numbers are probably good for a general population, but there are more variables to consider when it comes to an individual. So I don't think it's a concern if you're comfortable on your bike and the saddle position is not causing injury/pain.
@@ecphysiotherapy8012 Thank you
In the first image of the video the leg is actually in the perfect postion, not too straight, not too flexed.
Hey Yoan, thanks for viewing the videos. In a static image, yes his knee does look like it's in a good position. We also have to look at knee angles dynamically as well. If you watch the rest of the video, watch for how his pelvis is rocking down, and how he straightens his knee more quickly through the bottom of the pedal stroke.
Is the heel to pedal method correct cause it feels very unstable I have a folding 20” wheel city bike
Hi Christine,
The heel to pedal method should get you pretty close. If you find that your pelvis is rocking and feeling unstable, like you have the feeling that you're having to reach to the bottom of the pedals on each side, try lowering the saddle some more. Let me know how it goes!
@@ecphysiotherapy8012 I have it set the correct way already, but it feels unstable. I guess it is just because it is a short bike. I think I also might need to tighten my brakes some more and true my tires? Thanks for the help though. 🙂
@@ecphysiotherapy8012 Also if I want to always be seated at stops. Is it ok to let the balls of my feet touch the floor? Or is that bad for the legs?
Hi Christine, the saddle may be a bit too low if you're able to place both of your feet down at a stop light. The potential issue is the knee may stay quite flexed (bent) throughout the pedal stroke which can cause increased load on your knee cap and tendon, especially if you do tend to cycle with lower cadences (heavy gear or climbing). Usually if the saddle is at a correct height you generally need to place one foot down at stop lights/intersections.
But don't just take my word for it, it would be worthwhile experimenting with it to see how your legs feel either way!
@@ecphysiotherapy8012 I have it set correctly, but I can’t even reach one foot on the floor? Is that normal?