How To Know When Your Saddle Is Too Far Forward

This is the second video of the two part series where we previously talked about having a saddle that is too far back. In this video Expert Bike Fitter Neill Stanbury explains some key issues that arise from riding with a saddle that is too far forward. Having a saddle that is too far forward is usually more easily identifiable than one that is too far back and this is how to know!

#cycling #bike #fit

[Stratulax]

Dude! I could listen to him spew bike fit knowledge all damn day! So much knowledge and just makes so much sense, once you hear him say it, you're like, well, yeah, of coarse! Many, many thanks, once again!

[robvtec]

Thanks to this I adjusted 3mm back and the increase in comfort is immense. I was getting minor sores in the old position but they've vanished. Thank you.

[adammillsindustries.]

Shame Neil is off the thread. Best bike fit advice on YouTube.

[rrluthi]

I'm not sure if it's the same for everyone, but for me I can instantly feel when the seat is too far forward, my body wants to stretch back naturally and I can even feel pretty accurately where I want the saddle to move to, based on my sit-bones relationship to the curve of the saddle. I suppose if you are using a flat saddle, it may not feel as clear. The hamstring burning that Neil mentions is another big giveaway.

[none]

When viewed from the side, if a curved saddle is used, the sitting position is limited and sensitive to the fore-and-aft position of the saddle, but if a flat saddle is used, the sitting position is relatively free, so it is not significantly affected.

[yislamify]

Brilliantly explained. Thank you. Exactly I'm having this problem, moved seat forward to reduce reach but only caused more problems, mostly arm pain. Looking to get a shorter stem. Thank you

[johnd]

I find the way I know my seat is too far forward is my foot engages the pedals at the arch, and when I move it back, it engages at the ball, which results in more power.

[thisandthatandotherthings]

If you get out of the saddle then you are no longer engaging with a too far back/forward saddle so I think the reference is meant to be where the saddle is relative to your pelvis when you are stomping on the pedals sprinting above it ?

[gerrysecure]

Couldn't measuring the weight distribution front/rear give a good idea to adjust saddle position ?
If yes, what should it be ?

[orangeorphan]

Wow, a 3mm window? That’s so fine tuned. No wonder I can’t find the perfect geometry on my own.

[xBALLR]

hey!
maybe you can touch on the topic of feet length, and how it relates to bike fit.
eg i am 183cm and have small feet size 41.5 so i am forced to move my saddle all the way forward and ride 0 offset seatpost.
thanks :)

[none]

In my case, I use a zero offset seatpost because the inseam is too small. If the saddle is pushed backwards, the angle of the hips is reduced so much that it is difficult to breathe. Instead, use a flat, long saddle and change positions frequently. Of course, the cleat setting is also pushed all the way back.

[nodaklojack]

My hamstrings are never sore. I have never been sore from anything ever. They are very, very tight, always have been. Have never been anywhere close to touching my toes. No matter what adjustments I make, I can never seem to ever feel my hamstrings engage. It's always just lots of quad or less quad that I feel.

[Tasha]

I've had upper back/shoulder/arm fatigue for the last few years and it's really deterred me from riding when I used to ride 100mi per week, it's really sad 😫

[willwilling]

I have two bikes a tri bike with a ISM saddle and road bike with with a Bontrager saddle both saddles cause saddle sores in the crease between my legs and my private parts. Also on my road bike it took 600 miles befoe my triceps stopped hurting? Is there anything I can do to stop the abrasion cause by these saddles?
Thanks

[tn]

interesting to know that kinda counter intuitive. too far forward then more heavy on the front end instead the reach become shorter then should be lighter front end.

[ProWeAreSo]

What we'd need to discuss is short femurs. If we use KOPS (as a starting point), someone with short femurs needs a considerable amount of saddle forwardness to meet the equivalent of that of someone with long femurs

[livibam]

I naturally move forward.. been riding a 00mm setback for years now.
Long back & short legs.

[frapalapachino]

I find it also difficult to get the seat far enough forward for tall riders ~2m. Too many bike manufacturers have pretty slack seat tube angles and there are not really any good options to get the seat forward enough in some cases. Maybe I have shorter legs too...

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

What's a possible solution for a rider with long legs and arms, but a short torso? It's a problem I have. If I'm balanced, the seat it rather far back, but I'd need a 80mm stem; it feels fine when seated, but anything out of the saddle (sprinting for example) and I feel the stem is way too short, and come close to contacting the bar with my knees.