Help. Saddle post. Reverse 180 degrees?

Unknown Soldier · 15-09-2014 10:50am #1

Hello,

I have a niggling issue with my saddle and seatpost that have me wondering a few things. It's a canyon VLCS 1.0 (V23)

After a bike fit my current saddle looks like the following.

So my first question(s) are, what is that a sign of? Bike to big/small? I only ask about the "big/small" as someone said I should be on an M/55/56 but I am not sure about that as I am 170cm/80cm inside leg/normal "ratios" and therefore anS/53? After the fitting I changed my Stem from 90 to 110 and I do feel a lot more comfortable on the bike. Would an M with a short Stem be the same?

Would I be right in saying that I am losing out on the shock absorption properties of the saddle itself? Given where it is clamped?

And finally, would it be OK to turn the seat post 180 degrees so that it sweeps forward rather than backwards? Its shock absorption properties wouldn't be affected?

(On reflection I probably should have went for a seat post with no setback and a slight set forward but I was afraid a Canyon S was going to be too small)

Or should I just leave everything be as it is OK?

Thank you in advance for any pointers.

petethedrummer · 15-09-2014 10:56am

Get a seatpost with zero set back or (inline seatpost). Don't turn that one around. It will look daft like a goose.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/easton-ec70-zero-carbon-inline-seatpost/rp-prod11601

magicbastarder · 15-09-2014 11:10am

if you spun that seatpost around, it would leave your saddle going so far nose up it'd be completely unusable.

Unknown Soldier · 15-09-2014 11:29am

magicbastarder wrote: »

if you spun that seatpost around, it would leave your saddle going so far nose up it'd be completely unusable.

The top of the seat post is level and the way the clamp mechanism on top is at the minute is to suit the saddle rails. I can tilt it a lot either way. So I could have it level if I reverse the post. I think.

magicbastarder · 15-09-2014 11:37am

no, because the seat post is itself at an angle. if the seat post is 5 degrees off vertical, the top of the seat post is angled 5 degrees to accomodate. if you spin the seatpost around, the 5 degree compensation in the seatpost will be facing the wrong direction, i.e. 10 degrees upwards.

WillyFXP · 15-09-2014 12:43pm

I had a bike fit done last week, I ride a small ridley (54cm top tube). Fitter said I needed a smaller bike, 52cm toptube. I'm 173cm tall with 81cm inside leg. I'd say 55-56 bike would be too big for you, but that also depends on your flexibility and balance point on the bike. My seat had to be set way back (had to get a 32mm setback seatpost) with a shorter stem, 90mm down from 100mm, to get my balance point. I'm fairly inflexible though. Did the bike fitter get your balance point correct, or even do it?

Cee-Jay-Cee · 15-09-2014 12:55pm

Get an inline seat post as the set back in that one is quite extreme for your specific needs.

You could also fit a shorter stem and move your saddle back accordingly.

WillyFXP · 15-09-2014 12:59pm

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Get an inline seat post as the set back in that one is quite extreme for your specific needs.

You could also fit a shorter stem and move your saddle back accordingly.

That would change the balance point, making the bikefit a waste of time.

Unknown Soldier · 15-09-2014 3:12pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

no, because the seat post is itself at an angle. if the seat post is 5 degrees off vertical, the top of the seat post is angled 5 degrees to accomodate. if you spin the seatpost around, the 5 degree compensation in the seatpost will be facing the wrong direction, i.e. 10 degrees upwards.

If I hadn't seen that with my own eyes, I'd never have believed the angle it went too. I'm going to guess it went from level to pointing up at about 40 degrees. Evel Knievel could have used it a a ramp.

WillyFXP wrote: »

I had a bike fit done last week, I ride a small ridley (54cm top tube). Fitter said I needed a smaller bike, 52cm toptube. I'm 173cm tall with 81cm inside leg. I'd say 55-56 bike would be too big for you, but that also depends on your flexibility and balance point on the bike. My seat had to be set way back (had to get a 32mm setback seatpost) with a shorter stem, 90mm down from 100mm, to get my balance point. I'm fairly inflexible though. Did the bike fitter get your balance point correct, or even do it?

I had the Shimano bike fit done and I had my seat moved forward 20mm and ended up going from a 90mm stem to a 110mm to compensate. I'm fairly flexible too. It does feel a lot better and I have more power in the legs.

I think I am going to have to source a new post.

I have tweaked the current set up to move the bracket forward about 4/5mm so the saddle has a little more rail showing at the rear now.

Thanks everyone for the help.

jamesd · 15-09-2014 6:12pm

WillyFXP wrote: »

I had a bike fit done last week, I ride a small ridley (54cm top tube). Fitter said I needed a smaller bike, 52cm toptube. I'm 173cm tall with 81cm inside leg. I'd say 55-56 bike would be too big for you, but that also depends on your flexibility and balance point on the bike. My seat had to be set way back (had to get a 32mm setback seatpost) with a shorter stem, 90mm down from 100mm, to get my balance point. I'm fairly inflexible though. Did the bike fitter get your balance point correct, or even do it?

Worth getting done? Ive always wanted to get a proper one done.

WillyFXP · 15-09-2014 8:44pm

jamesd wrote: »

Worth getting done? Ive always wanted to get a proper one done.

Highly recommended, Mark in Velocity in Oranmore bikes did mine, he has the only Apex fitting machine in Ireland

jamesd · 15-09-2014 8:48pm

WillyFXP wrote: »

Highly recommended, Mark in Velocity in Oranmore bikes did mine, he has the only Apex fitting machine in Ireland

Does he give you some detail to bring with you as in what size frame and stuff would suit you for future bike purchases or is it all based on making your current bike fit you ? Very interested in getting this done.

WillyFXP · 15-09-2014 8:59pm

jamesd wrote: »

Does he give you some detail to bring with you as in what size frame and stuff would suit you for future bike purchases or is it all based on making your current bike fit you ? Very interested in getting this done.

You get a full printout of your ideal measurements for your current bike, Mark will give you pointers as to whether your current bike is the correct size. He will even talk you through and check the geometry of any bike you want to purchase in the future to make sure its suitable.

jamesd · 15-09-2014 10:12pm

WillyFXP wrote: »

You get a full printout of your ideal measurements for your current bike, Mark will give you pointers as to whether your current bike is the correct size. He will even talk you through and check the geometry of any bike you want to purchase in the future to make sure its suitable.

Will defn give him a call. Thanks again

jamesd · 18-09-2014 6:26pm

Got my fitting done today,need to get an 80mm stem for it and got the saddle raised up by about 25mm so will see how it is at the weekend.

Unknown Soldier · 18-09-2014 9:15pm

jamesd wrote: »

Got my fitting done today,need to get an 80mm stem for it and got the saddle raised up by about 25mm so will see how it is at the weekend.

Don't panic if you start getting sore in new places/muscles etc. It could take a few cycles before your body/legs get used to the changes the cycle fit has made.

25mm is a fair old saddle rise, IMHO.

Help. Saddle post. Reverse 180 degrees?

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