How To Know When Your Saddle Is Too Far Back

Expert Bike Fitter Neill Stanbury explains some key identifying issues that arise from riding with a saddle that is too far back. Riding with a saddle that is too far back can cause issues with your bike fit so be sure to not run into any of these problems.

#cycling #bike #fit

[seanoconn]

My top 4 dinner party guests of all time would be. Einstein, Cleopatra, Napoleon and Neil Stanbury. I could listen to Neil talk sense all day 👍

[nerigarcia]

I love watching Neill's videos. I can listen to him explain things over and over and still feel like I'm learning something new because he has such a deep understanding of his field. And he just seems like such a genuine and nice guy that you just want to hear what he has to say. Thanks for the information.

[fhowland]

Wish I could fly to Australia for a fitting by Neil! I feel like he knows more than the fitter I went to here in Boston who slammed my saddle all the way forward and now I have a lot of pressure on my arms.

[brickclickcat]

Fore aft adjustment is a key to getting your bike feel right.

Virtually all braking and handling is done by the front wheel, so don't be afraid to put some weight on the front. Put your bike through some twisties, see how it handles

[drucejnr]

Had a professional fit done here in Sydney and was put in to a more race position than relaxed/endurance (despite me asking for relaxed but thats another story). Was pretty much advised a slammed stem, raised seat post and saddle further back. I dont have the flexibility for that setup (I’m working on it though) so I’m now in the process of elimination of getting rid of my even more extreme shoulder pain. I’ve raised the stem which has helped immensely and now I’ve had to drop the seat ever so slightly but also move it forward as I kept sliding off the front and my sit bones were nowhere near the right spot on the saddle. You’re videos have helped me greatly Neil and I thank you for this valuable, free information you’re providing. I have to pay a visit to your recommended Sydney fitter as I think he’ll do great job for the finishing touches

[abfutrell]

Due to my scoliosis and kyphosis, I set my saddle 1 cm forward from neutral. It also helped with my short, club hand. Better cornering/handling and better climbing.

[paulprice]

oh man. Been watching all these fit vids. Spent 2 hours tweaking my ride yesterday and rode this morning. 1MPH average faster with similar effort, and for the first time in 30 years of cycling, I feel hamstring fatigue and less jelly quads. And hands felt relaxed on bars. Game freaking changer. BTW, seat too high and too far back, cleats too far forward. Thank you much. I am blown away.

[modemarcoj]

It would be very nice to see a few demonstrations as you are explaining some of the dos and donts as well as some baseline points of reference to look for in a general dialed pedal stroke from a solid set up .

[dmansfieldlife]

I am a 5' 10" Clydesdale rider currently 230lbs. I also can bench-press 180lbs, I'm barrel chested and wear a 7 3/4 hat. My head alone is probably 12lbs. My balance point between the front and rear wheels so I am in an athletic position on a bike is critical. The things you were saying about weight on the hands does not apply to me so much because I need to reduce the reach. In fact I found that I had much less weight on my hands by moving my butt forward. Replacing the stock layback seatpost on my 55cm gravel bike with inline seatpost made a HUGE difference. I even reversed a slightly layback seatpost on my 56cm GIANT to make it a lay-forward and now that bike is super comfortable. With my weight the saddle needs to be set near the center of the rails or it doesn't flex right.

[Seanobb]

I feel like all these videos have the same never ending cycle. "Heres how to adjust this but actually before you do that you'll need to make sure that x, y & z are good ahead of time." Where do you START though? I want to fit myself. Where do I START the process? Cleats? Saddle height? Stem length? For and Aft?

[filmic]

Wow, that was terrific. Thank you. My saddle is too far back then cause the front wants to wobble when I take my hands off the bars. I have an old GTzr 3.0. I checked for frame deformity using a straight edge from the stem to the drop outs and the distance on the seat tube to it, were the equal on both sides. Many thanks.

[wesw]

This information is just gold. Highly accurate based on my own long term experimental research.

[tofuguru]

I'm 6'4 on a 60cm cyclocross bike that I use for gravel and road biking... they have slightly different geometry from a strict road bike...
I find myself never being able to find a true/perfect position.

I'd say my limb lengths, torso lengths are all proportionate (in other words, I'm not 6'4 with long arms/legs short torso, or short legs long torso... I'm proportionate).

In order to get full leg extension... I extend my seat post fully at its limit. Maybe 1cm passed it actually.
Not only that, but I have to slide my saddle all the way back for a bit more leg extension, and reach (Since if I keep the saddle neutral or forward, I feel cramped up front).
I even have a 110mm long stem.

The position this puts me in.. gives me a feeling of kicking forward while my femur bones are too close to my torso (which doesn't allow me to put out as much power... although it puts me in a more aero position).

Issue is...
If I shorten the stem... I'm cramped.
If I slide seat foward... I'm cramped.
If I slide seat post down... legs don't get extension.

I think I've come to the conclusion that my frame just isn't enough for me... Gotta go full road bike, maybe a 61cm.

Thoughts from anyone? Looking for all the ideas I can get...

[derek]

Brilliant. I do find that I can lose front wheel traction when I push hard up a climb. Also, I struggle to ride no hands on my current setup - never been an issue before. Never been able to work this out. Another outstanding video. Thanks

[klanyboyd]

Neill, thank you so much that you talk simple language about complex things.

[starlitshadows]

So I went for a ride a couple nights ago. And when I hit a %5 climb like he said I felt like I was pushing forward on the pedals. I also noticed I likely slid back on the saddle a bit. I'm guessing that's what he means by the pelvis being further behind the bottom bracket? Saddle tilt changes with the gradient.

Usually on flat I'm fine unless I put the power down then I notice a similar thing to what is described. Feel like Im pushing forward a bit and my hands feel almost weightless like they are coming off. Feel it a bit in the right achilles too. Guessing this means I need to come forward a touch.

Would be cool if you guys continue a series of vids like this one btw. Covering specific issues like this. Very helpful and more detailed.

[leonardonavarro]

Hello Neil.
What about a rider that has longer femur and the effects you name? I read in general, longer femur needs more setback than usual. Would that cancel the situations you explain? And lastly, should those riders compensate with a shorter stem as well to keep reach "at reach"?

Thanks a lot for your videos. Is always a source of golden knowledge.

[ozzz]

Oh man
Every word you say i can feel exactly when riding! Amazing

[tefltoulouse]

How about raising the bars to about 2cm below saddle in order to measure the "too little weight on hands" thing. Long and low stem makes it very difficult to work out.

[TheLibertyHell]

Amazing what a couple of millimeters of movement can do for saddle pain.