How To Set Your Road Bike's Saddle Height - Tips For Getting Your Saddle Position Right

Get your saddle height and position right with the help of this video.

Saddle height is one of the key components of bike fit. So, it's a great thing to work on if you want to feel comfortable on your bike but don't want to spend your money on a high end bike fit just.

You'll need a spirit level, tape measure and a plumb line.

We've outlined a couple of methods in this video, so try each of them and see what feels best!

Mentioned in this video:

Music - licensed by Cue Songs

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Music licensed by Cue Songs

Music - licensed by Cue Songs

[venomgl]

I'm a new cyclist and I really appreciate your explanation of each of these measurements. I have cycle shops telling me I need custom fitting sessions before I ride and this REALLY gave me the advantage a novice needs to enjoy a new sport. Thanks for everything!

This is the best 'Saddle Height' video I have ever seen

[iamspecialised]

Hi Guys,

I tested this out and you won't believe but it's worked out and given me amazing accurate millimetre values on the saddle height.

I did the 1st method Simon demonstrated by just hopping on to bike and making sure that my leg is locked when the peddle is at the bottom & also ensured that I was able to peddle with out my pelvis rocking from side to side. It took a few adjustments but the Saddle height I got was 68.72 CMS.

I then did the inseam method and the measurements I got was 78.74 CMS.

Resulting in 68.74 CMS when I took 10 CMS out.

Now that's accuracy.

Thank you Simon & off course GCN.

[jaredellis]

This video completely changed my bike's performance, I originally had my seat angled 4 degrees forward, and I just wasn't getting what I wanted out of by bicycle. So when I was changing my seat I put it level like you guys instructed in the video. This made such a difference it actually felt like a new bike. Thanks for the awesome tips GCN!

[crokerted]

When I started, endless knee and muscle problems. Tried every adjustment going. Then osteopath discovered one leg slightly shorter than other. Tiny amount. Small plate between shoe and cleat fixed it all instantly. If all else fails....

[TrondHelgeRolland]

And when you've finally found your correct saddle height, mark it well in case you're riding with Matt who's prone to "adjust" your saddle height (ref. the Sabotage video). 

[takefivevideos]

Thank you for helping me make a great breakthrough with riding after a Total Knee Replacement. 5 months on and OK on stationery bike at gym but unable to get past TDC without severe pain on real bike. Got height right now, only slightly raised over previous, and slid saddle rearwards. I have a Dutch style pedelec. Success! Tonight I not only managed to get past TDC I managed a couple of miles pain free. Wonderful. I'll let you know in the morning how my knee is! lol But after all this time I'm back on two wheels that move not just stationery in gym. Woop, woop! ;-)

[ajnotnilc]

I did a lot of 'trial and error' adjustments on the saddle height and forward or back. Kept increasing until it 'felt right'. Out of curiosity, I've just done the inside leg measurement (760) less 10cm and that is the exact height my saddle is now ! A good method for a start height and then tweak . Great video liked the explanation of the various methods . Thank you
p.s. Using a spirit level it's quite straightforward to get and mark the initial measurement (although you look ridiculous)

[roxic]

This video was worth it just to see how uncomfortable he was with the leveler underneath him.

[billsomrak]

Helpful, but, as a retired senior, I don't ride a "road bike", but something called a "comfort bike", where the handle bars are UP, and I try to maintain a fairly straight back posture (back aches are a problem .. which is why I chose the style of bike I'm using). When I've had my seat at a height that seemed to correspond to the "heel method", it is so high that I must dismount my seat with the main bar between my legs, then angle the bike over so that I can get my leg back over it to complete the dismount. I tell you, I didn't have these problems when I was your age, buy now that I'm ... ah ... north of 60 ... everything seems a bit more difficult .. yet I still love to ride for the exercise and the feel of freedom. Cheers mate, and thanks for the tips!

[SKANDaR]

I use inseam x 0.883= saddle height (BB center to Seat), or inseam x 1.09 (pedal to Seat) or (inseam x 1.09) - crank length = Saddle height (from the BB center to seat)

May be a video to demonstrate these three methods to show their accuracy.

Thanks for the channel, I love your videos, keep it up.

Cheers!

[paul_hd]

Having a professional bike fitter makes more sense than: learning how to do it... hours of trial and error adjustments... questioning your adjustments out in the field... creating pain or discomfort if you did something wrong... etc. Totally worth it to spend $300 USD and have a pro set your bike up, so you can have piece of mind it is fit EXACTLY the way it should be. But cheers to anyone that wants to spend hours or days learning this stuff...

[JERRYR]

I used to just buy a bike I liked, hop on, peddle and go. I never knew about all of this and how it could make your riding experience so much more enjoyable. Great video even though this Huffy Cruiser rider may never apply most of these advanced techniques. In fact I will probably add a motor to mine just to make it up the steep dirt hills I take to work.

[lancekalafut]

I'm not a professional cyclist. I do like watching these, there is a lot of very useful information .

[evilbred]

This is an excellent video for those that are struggling to fall asleep.

[Cmoredebris]

Excellent video to get ball park set up. What's left out, is setting up cleats first, before doing any other adjustments. Also be sure to do fitting with the cycling shorts you will usually be riding in. Short's padding thickness makes a difference in fine tuning saddle height.

[Peej]

This has had me at the old Midnight bike maintenance. Tightened my brake cables, whilst I was at it too! Thanks lads.

[NewEnglandDirtRoadie]

the Greg Lemond ratio worked perfectly for me... and i didn't even realize it. for the first time in about 18 years i decided to take the measurement, then measure my inseam which i also hadn't done since. and then multiplied that number by 0.883 and it was bang-on

[JC-ejzy]

Why do people dislike this video' it's very good and informative. I had the perfect height no knee pain then my Mrs decided to start using the turbo trainer now I'm getting knee pain. My fault I know I should of marked my seat height. I've been playing about with seat now for a week trying to get perfect height again

[KyleGraham]

I don't like hearing Simon talk about his "crank length"