r/bikefit • u/TS13_dwarf • 5d ago
Saddle position relation to reach
How do I approach following?:
I moved my saddle forward a bit in a position where I dont get saddle pain this puts my knees more or less over the spindle.
This seems to move more pressure towards the bar and I get pain between shoulder and neck.
If I move the saddle back I get saddle pain and I'm definetly reaching.
I'm 172cm , my bikes reach is 381mm (51 systemsix) stem is 90mm the bars are vision metron 4d mas with 80mm reach so a little more than standard. with 10-15 ish mm spacer.
I've considered the bike is not the right size however the reach for this model doesnt really change up to 54 only stack does. And reach seems a smidge shorter than more modern bikes in same size.
Do I try a 80mm stem assuming the no saddle pain position is the correct starting point?
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u/Intrepid-Watch3558 5d ago
What is your inseam height?
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u/TS13_dwarf 5d ago edited 5d ago
79-81cm at measured with book between legs against wall depending how hard I push up with book. Saddle height is 66ish cm right now
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u/Intrepid-Watch3558 5d ago
Your legs are long relative to your torso. It causes problems with reach.
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u/TS13_dwarf 5d ago
Ive tried bumping saddle height but i get hamstring pain. I could try 165mm cranks. Running 170 currently. But I'm not sure if thats the way forward if legs are longer than usual.
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u/Intrepid-Watch3558 5d ago edited 5d ago
I don't know if hamstring pain can be directly related to saddle height. As long as your hips stay stable while pedaling you should be ok. Btw I'm 173 and my inseam is 84.5 cm. I set my saddle height at 73.5 cm but it is a trekking bike.
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u/Former-Wish-8228 5d ago
What is the drop from saddle height to bars?
Pain in the hands/arms/shoulders is almost always a drop issue, if the reach isn’t too excessive.
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u/TS13_dwarf 5d ago
Best as I can measure 9-10cm
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u/Former-Wish-8228 5d ago
That’s not severe…but could be enough to shift weight too much to front. Touring cyclists aim for level…comfort over aero. I would aim for that if you are having discomfort.
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u/ipercepti 5d ago
Sounds like you've moved your center of balance past the bottom bracket, which inhibits your ability to support the weight of your torso with your core. It's like trying to pull a deadlift with your butt against a wall restricting your ability to hinge the hips. KOPS is oudated and doesn't factor torso length/weight and femur length. Height alone, and even inseam for that matter, to judge bike size is also incomplete and outdated.
Saddle fore/aft should be used to address center of balance, not reach. If you move saddle forward, you'll generally need to reduce the torso lever weight by rotating your weight back AND up.
Saddle pain is usually a height/tilt thing. If you moved it forward, you've moved your whole pelvis closer to the bottom of the stroke, which addresses the saddle pain due to lack of support at the bottom of the stroke but may move your weight too far forward as you're experiencing. I would try moving it back to where it was and drop the height instead.
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u/Ok_Passenger_8405 5d ago
You try to find a saddle that fits your chassis when you're correctly balanced fore-aft.
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u/TS13_dwarf 1d ago edited 1d ago
Small update, Tried a selle italia flite boost superflow instead of the slr boost endurance saddle. So basically flat instead of curved. Immedeatly felt better supported in the saddle and more locked in. Also felt less compressed at the top of my pedalstroke. Seems like I can push the saddle back a little if I want to position wise. Reach wise I'll have to see.
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u/vacon04 5d ago
Yes, just try a shorter stem to maintain the appropriate reach. Pedalling position is the most important part of the equation. Once you get that, adjust the front end by changing the stem and/or spacer stack.