How to adjust the seat on the bike?

Bike is a very popular transport today. Many people choose it not only for sports, but also as a means of transportation. This is not surprising, because it is cycling that contributes to excellent muscle training and improving well-being. In this article, we will talk about how to properly adjust the bicycle seat so that riding on it is as comfortable as possible and brings only benefit, and not harm to the body.

A bicycle is a simple mechanism that everyone is familiar with. But very often, people who are engaged in riding this type of transport professionally or simply by necessity do not even think about the fact that before riding on their “iron horse”, they need to be carefully prepared for the trip. One of the main stages of preparation is the correct installation of the seat position. It is necessary that:

• the bike ride was comfortable;
• all muscle groups worked correctly;
• the load on the body was evenly distributed;
• it was easy to drive;
• brought benefits to the body.

The first thing to do after buying a bike and before starting to use it is "Tailor it for yourself", taking into account all the structural features and body parameters of the one who will ride it. You should know that for each model of such a transport has its own adjustment option. For example, in mountain two-wheeled transport, it is different from that which is characteristic of an amateur, ordinary kind of mechanism.There are certain rules that are mandatory for all modifications of bicycles. Must be adjusted:

• seat height relative to the level of the pedals;
• the angle of the saddle is determined by its displacement.

Later in the article, we will talk in detail about each of the rules and how to correctly execute the process itself.

This parameter is one of the most important, from this you need to start the adjustment. You can determine the height of the seat yourself, for this you need to take into account the growth of the rider and the features of the terrain on which the trip will be carried out. Before you begin setting up, you must understand the following rules that ensure the safety of your trip.

• Each mechanism has a maximum elevation mark. So, the seatpost level should be within acceptable limits.
• Having decided on the optimal level of height, the “seat” needs to be well set and fixed at the selected level.
• The position of the front of the seat must be level.

The adjustment itself is quite simple and consists of the following steps:

• the first thing is loosening the tightening nut;
• further, the pin is slowly stretched (pressed), while holding the saddle;
• then the fastening is tightened;
• at the last stage of adjustment, you need to check whether the saddle is firmly fixed.

The seat must be positioned correctly. The methods that were specifically designed for this type of adjustment will help determine the level of a bicycle seat.

• Numerical calculation. With this calculation of the required height, you will need a tape measure or centimeter. Using a measuring tool, you need to determine on your body the distance from the sole to the groin. The resulting value must be multiplied by a constant coefficient of 1.09. For example, if the length of your legs is 60 centimeters, then after multiplication it turns out that the seat should be at a height of 65.4 centimeters from the floor.

• The "almost straight leg" method. This method was developed so that it could be used to determine the bend of the leg. It was experimentally established that the position in which the limb located on the lower pedal is even is correct.

• The heel method. This method suggests sticking to the following sequence of actions:
  • it is necessary to put the "iron horse" so that it is motionless;
  • sit on the saddle and fix the heel on the pedals - it should be at that moment at the bottom;
  • adjustment and fixation should be done when the leg is completely straight.

You can also use the option for which you need a special goniometer device. The people call this method The Hill Method. It makes it possible to reduce the likelihood of injury when traveling. Using a goniometer, you can measure the angle of the knee joint. Ideal for an adult if the angle is 25º - 30º. But if you have knee problems, Before applying this method, you must always consult with a specialist.

Specialists and professional cyclists claim that the saddle must be mounted horizontally and directed towards the movement of transport. Tilting the saddle is not recommended. How the load will be distributed on different muscle groups depends on the angle of inclination.In the event that the front of the saddle is raised a lot, the pressure on the soft tissues will increase, and this is fraught with negative consequences and diseases.

With a strong tilt of the saddle forward, you will constantly crawl, and the ride itself will not be fun, but only discomfort.

With this type of adjustment, you need to consider the length of the hands. This setting allows you to:

• set the correct alignment;
• provide good speed while riding;
• make transport management easy and convenient.

The process is performed in the following sequence:

• loosen the screw that secures and fastens the pin and seat;
• move the seat;
• fix the fasteners;
• sit on the saddle and pay attention to the position of the knees, their level should be vertical with respect to the pedal axis (for testing, use the position of the leg at the lowest point, the knee should not be pulled forward).

Horizontal adjustment is possible only after the seat is correctly installed.. After completing all the above steps with the necessary physiological characteristics of the body structure, you can be sure that the load when riding will fall on all muscles in the same volume. At the same time, arms and legs will not get tired quickly.

Today, a large number of bicycles from various manufacturers are presented in the market of sports goods and equipment. In most cases, they are sold unassembled, therefore assembly and adjustment instructions should always be included.

See how to adjust the saddle on your bike in the next video.