Adjusting your Bike Saddle

There is always talk about proper bicycle fit and making sure that the body angles are ideal on your new bike.  No one will argue that this is important and I would encourage you to view our posts on bike fitting.  However, it is equally important to remember that the rider/bike connection is very dynamic.  By that I mean, there are numerous positions that a rider can assume while mounted on their bicycle.
This article is a closer look at the saddle position of the rider.  For many amateur and upper level recreational riders a common mistake is that is made is to mount the bike and wherever the seat meets the bottom is where they stay for the entire ride.  I will admit that for most of the riding that we do there is an ‘ideal’ position in the saddle.  However, micro-adjustments forward and backward in the saddle can have significant impact on performance and endurance.
One example would be on moderate to steep sustained climbs.  The natural tendency is to migrate your butt toward the rear part of the saddle.  This is usually accompanied by a lowering of the upper body.  I don’t know what riders who do this are trying to accomplish.  There is no aerodynamic benefit as the speed is simply too low in this situation and as a result the knees are moved backward out of the best mechanical advantage position.  Instead the better move is to actually move slightly forward on the saddle and sit up a bit taller.  The knee is then moved even more over the pedals when the rotation comes around into the power portion of the spin and allows for maximum mechanical advantage.  The move forward should only be around 1-3 cm but the increased power and efficiency is undeniable.  Try it next time your out.
Also, frequently shifting to and fro during long rides and slightly altering your seat position will help with fatigue, soreness, and endurance in your legs and arms and shoulders.

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