Correct position for saddle

Vizzy

Hi guys/gals,

Need a bit of advice.
I have a Giant TCR (so a sloping toptube)and I am trying to figure what is the optimum saddle position for general biking( i.e for a bit of comfort).
Saddle height is fine.
I thought that the saddle was too far back and have been moving it forward in small increments for the last few spins but I find that every hill is killing me.
For reference,when I sit on the bike with my hands on the hoods I can just about see the hub on the front wheel over the front of the bars(if this makes sense).
I now think that I might have been moving the saddle forward when I should have been moving it back.If this is the case is there any rough rule of thumb on how far back I should go(e.g be able to see the hub from behind the bars).
Thans in advance.

Murph100

Vizzy, not trying to be smart, but if you bought the bike recently, I'd go back to the shop and ask them to fit you properly, assuming they know what they're doing, and that should be free.

Its next to impossible to advise you 'remotely' as there are so many variables. Some good basic info here though :

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

There are also a number of bike fitting services which you can find by doing a search on this forum.

Vizzy

Thanks Murph,
Thats a great article and a lot of it I knew already but a bit like peterwhite I'm not getting any younger.
I used do a bit of racing and a good bit of triathlon about 20 years ago but I had a back operation (prolapsed disc) a few years ago so I am only really getting back to biking in the last few months.
I suspect that part of my problem is fitness or the lack of,but I'm just trying to rule out as many variables as possible.
Worse case scenario is to fc*k up my back so i think that I'll probably try the LBS even though I didn't buy the bike there.

Thanks again.

Murph100

Vizzy, TBH a lot of the shops, and indeed bikefitting places, use franchised systems which they've paid dearly for. They measure you up, chuck the numbers into the software and out comes your 'ideal' bikefit, which can be total b@ll@cks if you're not the 'ideal human' which the system was designed around.

OTH guys like Steve Hogg, have years of experience and physiological knowledge, and can spot the individuals limitations a mile away and give a proper bike fitting, but Steve unfortunately, aint exactly local !

I'm not saying your LBS doesn't know what they're doing, there could well be an undiscovered Steve Hogg in there, just dont take it as Gospel unless it feels right.

Lots of feedback here :

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056115538

Vizzy

Murph,I agree on the "perfect human" bit. I have even been told the same thing by the LBS who do actually know what they are doing( the 2 lads running it would be well respected throughout the country as ex racers and bike builders)
I might even try Sean Kelly's ex coach Tony Ryan who would have a very "hands on" approach rather than relying on formula's etc.
His first words will be "get on the bike and put the miles in" though:)

Murph100

Ah sure you're well sorted so then, would the 2 lads at the LBS be Barry & Ray ?

Lumen

As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn't move the saddle to fix a reach issue, you should change the stem length.

That assumes you have the correct fore-aft position in the first place.

Vizzy

Murph100 wrote: »

Ah sure you're well sorted so then, would the 2 lads at the LBS be Barry & Ray ?

Correct