How To Set Your Bike Saddle Height Quickly

Discover how you can set your bike saddle height quickly and accurately! Here, Manon shows you a step-by-step guide on how to achieve the right fit for your bike, ensuring comfort and performance so you can sit comfortably every time you go for a ride!

Fun fact 👉 The 0.883 measurement was made famous by 3x Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, but it was actually his coach, Cyrille Guimard, who discovered it way back in the 1980’s.

Introduction 00:00
Let’s Get Started 00:29
The Heel Method 00:58
Flexibility Matters 02:08
Inseam Measurement 02:25
Saddle Angle & Position 04:43
Checks To Make Sure Everything Is Correct 05:45

Useful Links:

Do you know any other hacks for achieving the right saddle height? 📐
Let us know in the comments below! 💬

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[gcn]

What is your method for finding the correct saddle height? Let us know 👇

[davem]

I've used the .883 x inseam for decades and for stem length there was the old rule of elbow to saddle and tip of fingers should brush the handlebar. Plumb bob or a simple nut on a string suspended from bottom of knee cap should hang to ball of foot sitting close to over the spindle when a crank is pointed at the 90 degree position to set toe clip or shoe clip position and seat forward/back position.

[kiwisteve]

A reminder that the .883 (A.K.A. Lemond method, developed by Cyrille Guimard) has 2 steps, the inseam x .883 calculation and THEN an adjustment to offset 1. Crank length (the .883 assumes 172.5 cranks, so add or subtract for longer or shorter, e.g. 175mm = reduction of 2.5mm) and 2. Pedal stack (the .883 method assumes old school clip + strap pedals), modern pedals have less stack height so a necessary reduction is necessary (approx 3mm), if you are going to use a formula please use the whole thing...

[andreagasparoni]

I've always used the heel method. After looking at the video, I immediately tried the inseam measurement and tested the resulting distance on my two bikes: in both cases it fits exactly the saddle height! 🎉🍾😄

[DaigoroToyama]

As always, Manon explains things in an easy-to-understand manner. I wish she would produce more instructional/educational videos. I use the heel method, except I set the crank arm parallel to the seat tube as opposed to 6 o'clock. I've tried other methods and feel like this gives me the best baseline.

[bungg]

I like how you explain everything. Im a beginner, only ride a road bike since februari 24. This really helps! Video added to favorites😊

[Patrik]

I use the inseam times 1.09 method and I measure from the pedal axel. It works for me 😊

[coaltit]

I wish bike geometry was better. All the websites say I should be a 54 medium (I'm 5'9"). I went to a bike shop to try a Specialized Allez and the 52 small (5'4" to 5'7") fit me perfectly. Without checking I would never have thought a bike "meant" for someone 5" shorter than me would fit. For reference I also tried a Trek and a Giant and I found the small fitted me best as well.

[markusmencke]

Helpful video. If you have a laser distance measure, you can use the book method even easier. Just set the Laser to the correct measure method (top-of-device, where the laser optics are), put it on the ridge of the book pointing down on the floor, and push the button. (If you don’t have a book long enough for this, use a spirit level.)
Plus, this base number will not change (much) during your cycling life. You may have to account for different crank lengths, shoes and pedal combos, change in position and hip angles (more upright or less) and such, but legs don‘t change their length, usually. With that number, any even just semi-competent bike shop will be able to select a fitting bike frame and do the the basic adjustments for you, so your new bike will fit your needs from day one.
Ride On!

[supermankent]

For font to back seat position, i was taught that the Tibial Tuberosity (the bump on the shin bone just below the knee cap) should be directly over the pedal axle when in the front horizontal position. Dropping a plumbline is an easy way to do that.

[adamc]

Great informative video, thanks Manon 👏🏻

[Gamebreaker]

I'm a simple man. I see Manon, I hit like & comment!

[paulgrimshaw]

Put a few turns of electrical tape around the seat post. Any subsequent crinkling will indicate something isn’t tight enough.

Once everything is dialled in, paint witness marks on the post and collar.

[greggsenne]

Weight distribution fore and aft is a good check on saddle position. Should be about 40% on the front wheel. Don't overlook stem length. A stem that's too short or too long has a tendency to move your point of contact with the saddle.

[lehtjug]

When you get older and you have slipped disk it’s tricky to find numb free position. Everyone who have a healthy spine can be happy. Others might have better days and worst days.

[alphamrc]

22, 222 views and 1.1k likes is as satisfying to my OCD as it is a crime against how good this video is

#TeamManon

[SBoots]

And very timely. I have come to the conclusion my saddle is not quite the way it should be. I will try this. Cheers

[cccycling]

Years of experimentation and I've landed on 70cm exactly from the tip of the saddle to the middle of the crankshaft, and then I adapt it from there depending on the bike.

[johnnunn]

The Badger’s method was to raise the saddle height by increments until your hips rock, then take the saddle back down the last increment.

[kernel]

I'm a simple man, I see Manon on the thumbnail and click to learn about anything.