how tall should my seat height be?

Question

i am 5'10" and i have 58cm cannondale 400r bicycle how tall or how heigh the seat post should be from the ground to the top of my seat? not sure of what my inseam is. i am going on a 142mile ride in oct so i need to reall comfortable.

Answer 1

best and easiest thing to do: get thee to your local bike shop and get fitted
there are no pure and accurate formulas

this will ensure many miles of comfortable riding

Answer 2

if you're doing a 142 mile ride, that means you're going to have lots of training miles between then and now.

basically, you're looking for the sweet spot (it's really a zone) where you're most comfortable and efficient.

when you're too low, your legs won't be extending enough to get full power from your legs, and you may get sore in the kneecaps.

when you're too high, your hips will be rocking side to side as you have to reach for the pedals at the bottom, and you'll get a sore crotch and maybe lower back / hamstrings.

most folks, the optimal range is an inch or so of adjustment, just below that hip-rocking range. much depends on your personal comfort, preference, flexibility etc. Also depends some on other factors like relative handlebar height and reach.

are you training with a team or club? consider having a pro fitting done at a bike shop.

Good luck
Scott

Answer 3

The seat height with the help of itself isn't the whole tale. The seat width additionally impacts your place. For any 2 motorcycles with the comparable seat height, the single with the broader seat would have you ever on your ft extra desirable than the different one. So, the respond is pass to a broking, sit down on the comparable type motorbike and notice the way it feels. As an aside, its a basic delusion attempt to be waiting to plant the two ft (flat-footing) to be secure on a motorbike. that's extra comforting for the rider, enormously a clean one, whether that's no longer mandatory. the jap motorbike developers are no longer focused on extensive individuals as a distinctiveness paying for block whilst they make motorcycles with 32" or greater seats.

Answer 4

I think it's a 7 degree bend of the leg to lowest point of crank stroke. But have someone size you on a trainer with a wheel block... (to make it completely level), and go from there. It's very difficult to do it yourself nor very accurate. Once you get it on a trainer also check for saddle adjustment ( forward and back, tilt etc..) as well stem length and bar height. Make all these adjustments while your in the trainer and do a few quick rides .....fine tune and your good to go as long as you don't grow or shrink.......If your riding 142miles it wouldnt hurt to flip the stem around on the rise for comfort...If you have this option.....most 1-1/8 threadless headsets have stems that can flip flop or rise or drop......good luck on the ride.........

Answer 5

Don't know if this works for roadies, but it works for mountian bikes, so:

Stand with your back against the wall and your feet 6" apart. Take a hard back book and place it between your legs, where your saddle would sit. Reach behind with piece of chalk and mark where the top of the book is.

Measure from the floor to the mark (Metric). Take this distance and multiply by 0.883. This is the proper distance from the centre of the crank axle to the top of the saddle. (Note: if you have very thick soles, increase height slightly.).

Luck

Answer 6

The bottom line is that it is whatever height you feel most comfortable at. The rule of thumb is that your knee should be "slightly bent" on the downstroke. You never want to overextend the knee or leave it too bent robbing you of power. Additionally, some riders like different heights. Sprinters tend to like to be lower and closer to the front of the bike. Climbers and time trialists like higher positions. Take the bike out on a typical ride that you will be doing and experiment. Be sure to mark a spot where you are comfortable before you fine tune.

Answer 7

have someone help you with this. when your riding around and one foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke, your knee on that leg should be slightly bent. have the other person tell you how much your leg is bent. you may have to raise your handle bars as well. when your in riding position, the handlebars should obstruct your view of the front hub.

good luck

Answer 8

when you are riding the bicycle ur leg should be slightly bended whit the pedal in its lowest position - then the hight of your seat is most comfortable

Answer 9

better read Bicycling mag, jan/feb issue, page 53