Cycling 101: Saddle set-up

If you’ve recently thought about getting into cycling, you might have already done some research into how you can optimize your cycling abilities. As easy as it looks, cycling is a complex sport that requires a high level of skill and muscular fitness.

One of the most important factors to take into consideration when you are starting out with cycling is your seat,  or saddle.

You can get all of the best clothing, the most expensive bicycle, and the best helmet you can find. You can watch hours of cycling videos and mentally prepare yourself as much as possible. But if you don’t know how to properly adjust the saddle on your bike, you won’t be able to cycle properly or comfortably.

Most importantly, the height of your saddle is key to your cycling sessions. It’s important to find the perfect saddle height on your bicycle before you set off on your cycling trip.

Here are some key tips to help you determine the perfect height and tilt of your saddle:

• Position the stem so that top of your handlebars is around an inch below the top of your saddle
• Your heel should slightly graze the pedal when your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke
• You should not experience any lower back, hip, or knee pain. If you do, you might need to raise or lower the saddle slightly. Try to cycle at slightly different heights and tilt the saddle to find a position that eliminates the pain you are experiencing.
• Make sure the saddle is level. It should not tip left or right. However, having a slight forward tilt is usually preferable.