The Curse of Four Millimeters
I don’t know how a guy who shows off the better part of a half meter of seat post comes to the conclusion that his saddle is too low, but that precise thought occupies an enormous amount of time. Ever closer looms the minimum insertion point on my seat pin, yet I am irrevocably bound to explore its limits.
I actually wish my legs were shorter; long legs are only useful for the anorexic models who distort our youth’s self-image and for skipping steps on staircases. At the same time, I’ve spent the majority of my life wondering if my seat post was slipping; has my saddle always felt this low? In previous years, I have known better; the question will claw its way into my mind, usually when I’m struggling on a climb, and I will look at the strip of tape I’ve stuck around my seat pin just above the clamp and note that it has not curled up due to the pin sliding through. The saddle is at the right height.
These days, I’m riding a fizik seat post and fizik seat posts come with this cool little sleeve to mark the height. It works perfectly, apart from the fact that it doesn’t curl up like the lowly electrical tape does; were the seat pin to slide, the sleeve would simply side with it. Which means I have to judge the distance between height demarcations on the post to decide if it’s slipped or not. It used to be higher; I’m climbing this badly because the saddle slipped down a bit.
These are easy lies we tell ourselves; that the lack of performance is borne of a problem in our setup – our position or our equipment. Merckx was famously obsessive about seat height, why shouldn’t I be? I just make a casually deliberate stop at the roadside, swiftly raise the saddle a bit, and stage a Cyclocross Remount – the only way a Cyclist should ever board their bicycle once the ride has begun.
But then I got better at judging the marks on the fizik post, and was sure it wasn’t sliding. But still my power was waning and surely it wasn’t my form because I’ve been riding like a thing that’s been riding a lot. Perhaps my position on the bike is evolving, perhaps I should reconsider my stem length and slide my saddle forward to get more over the bottom bracket. Except that I’ve ridden happily in roughly this position for years – and in roughly the same form.
Then came the rains; they had been lacking this Spring, almost to a fault. It had been several weeks or even a few months since I’d been astride my Nine Bike. I set off, and was struck instantly by how comfortable I was, how fluidly the pedals were spinning, and how easily I gobbled up the climbs. Was I peaking today instead of in the usual Two Months, or was there something more sinister going on? There was no question of longer stems and saddles sliding forward; I had the usual sensation that I was in my element, that I was born to be in this position on two wheels and that walking was a locomotion I was leaving behind in my short-lived evolution as a human being.
Knowing the geometries of the two bikes – #1 and The Nine Bike – are virtually identical, I decided to revisit the measurements on #1. I measured the Nine and checked them against #1; the only difference was that the saddle on the #1 had crept up a whopping 4mm. Four millimeters over a saddle height of of 830. I climbed aboard her and set off, amazed at how good she felt. Immediately the power was back, the inherent comfort of riding a bike returned.
All over a lousy 4mm.
Fellow Velominati: we are all students of La Vie Velominatus. We must look to the future and seek to evolve; to experiment with new positions, new techniques, and with new technology. But we must also look to the past and recognize what worked well, when did change affect how well we ride our bikes or how much we loved it? To recognize the boundary between the evolution within us as athletes and to adapt to what feels good over time and those that erode our capacity as riders can be difficult. Sometimes we need a Sensei to help us recognize the difference, other times it will come to us through solitary meditation.
Embrace change, but also keep it at a distance. We should always be ready to return to the past and rediscover what worked before and apply it to the chance we face in the future. Vive la Vie Velomiantus.
@piwakawaka
Most importantly, you’re more stable and have more leverage.
@antihero
Sing it brother!
@Ron
Worry about your extension while pedalling, not when putting your foot down standing still. We’re Cyclists for Merckxs’ sake, not statues!
In all seriousness, depending your your BB height this will be easier and harder on different bikes with the same bb-saddle distance.
@frank
That’s not what your article says. See, I read it!
Yes, you did mention that to me… My hamstrings could definitely benefit from some souplesse.
@Mike_P
Question your saddle width and shape. More specifically confirm your sit-bones measurement. Ask about a semi-flat shape with 140mm to 150mm in width.
For once I’m glad no one reads the articles; my Merckx there were a lot of errors in that damn thing. Probably still are. Sorry about that, someone who can write should get involved with this site.
@frank The writing is fine, but maybe the editing is lacking?
@frank
Holy Merckx, next you will be wanting rational and sane people to contribute to it too.
@frank
Drunk writing again? I noticed a few, but didn’t matter.
@frank
All things being equal and your hygiene being what it should be, saddle sores can be caused by chaffing from the slight rocking motion of pedaling if your seat is set slightly too high. It ain’t necessarily so, but it could be. Which is what I believe Nate was also alluding to earlier.
@scaler911
“Overuse of semicolons throughout.” Ha ha ha.
Will edit for a signed copy of The Rules…
Clean gear and on long riders (80kms +) it’s a schmear of vitamin A&D ointment in the crotch. No problems so far . . .
@unversio
Thanks for the tip. Good call.
Another great article, though, really.
Although telling somebody with legs as short as mine that long legs serve no purpose is a bit rich, especially when that somebody has to shop for frames in the children’s sections of bike shops.
@paolo Yes, that’s what I was alluding to.
@frank
Yea, weirdly came on about three weeks back after months riding the same fit. Wondering if my shorts are chafing cos of the weight I’ve lost over the winter. I’m always vigilant with hygiene, but with this years target events starting this weekend I’m probably not giving them time to heal.
@Mike_P Consider the possibility of a skin fungal infection if the rawness is right up in your groin. Easily treated just ask for some cream at the Chemists but might want to consider a doctor’s opinion.
@scaler911
i believe Hemingway said “write drunk, edit sober”. Quality advice.
@Raynorbot
Advice I’ve always striven to follow. (And look at me now. )
I thought of you Frank when I saw this for some obscure reason
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151946403112058
…..sorry for embedding something from FB, I am sure there is some relevance here
Slipping carbon post, paste, shims? Could be the seat clamp/collar orientation.
Found info here
@unversio
Yes! The saddle can make all the difference. I went from an old Selle Italia SLR XP to an SLR “monolink” and discomfort disappeared immediately. Nearly the same saddle, but an improvement noticeable in a single ride. My LBS in Seattle has a program that allows you to try out saddles for a specified time. If you go on a decent ride, you should be able to tell if you get sores etc. Try them, I think it’s the only way to know…
I have found that the curvature of the saddle is important, in addition to width. The flat top kind (e.g. Fi’zi:k Arione) require you to be a bit more flexible, whereas something that flares up a bit toward the back (e.g. Fi’zi:k Aliante) will allow you to sit on the curve a bit to assist in getting in a more horizontal position while in the drops etc.
@frank
I’m surprized that you even use the saddle when climbing.
@trenchfoot
I did look into such a possibility. I did an exercise to test and I could do it happily. Maybe it’s worth looking into it more.
@frank
Stretching, or massage? I’ve had a massage every week for five weeks now. It was getting better but not I have ramped up the intensity ( lots of short hard efforts), I’m back where I started.
@Mike_P
@PeakInTwoYears
Me too!
@Mike_P
Yeah, there was a lot of talk about degrees and whatnot. I pedal a bit on my toes and he tried to fix that but gave up because it’s just how I am. He did say “Pantani used to pedal on his toes a bit, and he went ok” and gave me a wink; that made my day really.
The best thing about the fitting was finding that I needed an orthotic innersole thing. I had one made up buy a guy who does them down here and in carbon fibre. That made a huge difference to how my legs tracked and thus my ability to maintain cadence. If a fat mess like me can still maintain 90+rpm going up then no one else has any excuses.
In the end though, the whole fitting ended with with my saddle too high and me bouncing about combined with a stem 10mm too long and about 10mm too low. Fine on a trainer with sensor dots on me, once on the road there was pain.
Sometimes you need help getting close to your fit but then need to back yourself with some decisions on comfort versus cool factor (slam the stem? Love too, my sack doesn’t quite enjoy it though).
Frank one way to keep your seat from moving is to have the seat post nicely frozen into the seat tube like some people I know, who shall remain nameless. Assuming you don’t get osteoporosis or any compression fractures, you’re all good. Why should you have to move that bad boy otherwise?
@frank
You want a seatpost that doesnt move? Get a frame with an integrated seatpost, like a LOOK.
Allows for adjustment with the various size shims, and once you have your height dialled, there is NO movement.
Then again, an ISP even with no post removed, isnt going to be long enough for you.
I give mine a little check every couple weeks to make sure it is right at 68.8cm. 2mm either way is no good at all for me. So yeah 4mm that seams right for a big fella to notice. Maybe it’s in my head sometimes but knowing that # makes me happy and I swear I can feel it in my old f-uped knees if its off.
Cheers
@Ccos
Indeed. Old school integrated seat post!
@frank
Why would you want to sit on your saddle when stopped and touch the ground, when you can rest on the top tube all tranquillo like?
@Teocalli
The reason for the grease, particularly if it is an alloy bike with alloy to alloy post or alloy to steel post, is to prevent the fucker seizing in there. Best you get some form of lubrication on there stat, as an alloy bike exposed to water will only accelerate the binding, and then you are in for a really fucking good time trying to budge it…
@Ccos I have no idea who your talking to but I in the past was that person. It sucked more than my current old age silliness
@therealpeel
ISP old school already?!! Or a passing fad? I’m doing ISP with shims to keep saddle where I want it.
@frank
@frank
If you’re serious about some editing help, email me. Undergrad degree in journalism and I edited both my sons’ college essays (they hated the experience:))
@frank serious question, had to state that, given im Australian and all I generally do is sarcasm.
You said “Also, it could be a stretching thing. I’ve had something similar and using a massage stick on my hammie fixed it for me, in addition to giving me loads of extra power (those things rule). “
What is this massage stick you speak of? Im about as flexible as the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Ill try anything once !
@PeakInTwoYears
Best advice ever, except when its unrealistic because you wake up still drunk. A situation outside the authors control, that.
To be precise, though, I woke up sober but had already published because I thought it ruled so hard. Hemingway didn’t have a “Publish” button.
@Nate
That’s boring. C’mon! Start a fight!
@paolo
With shammy cream and properly fitting kit, it really shouldn’t happen if all is right – that said, it happens to the best of us, especially when riding lots but normally it will be an isolated incident.
But Fignon cut a chunk out of his saddle to relieve his saddle sore in (was it) ’89 and Kelly abandoned the Vuelta while in the lead due to one. It’s not a black mark so much as a rite of passage. But precautions like fit and hygiene will keep things in check.
@Dr C
Your technical skills are outmatched only by your ability to point to a video of leggy anorexic models falling over in high heels. An absolute classic.
@PeakInTwoYears
You’ll PAY for a copy of The Rules and then maybe I’ll reimburse you after defacing it if I also call you fat in the inscription.
@geoffrey
Its called artistic license for fucks sake. I also quip about riding the 39 from time to time but we all know the last time I left the 53 Ronald Reagan was still pretending AIDS didn’t exist.
@Puffy
I mean stretching but I can’t stretch properly unless I get rid of some of the knots cause by crushing it so hard…or also possibly by trying to beat the VMH to the car from the store and pulling a hammy.
@frank
OK: Get away from my taint, you besotted, low-country ape.
@anthony
It amazes me that @brett has no clue what the number is for his saddle height. He rides, he feels it, he adjusts it. Amazing.
I think we all get there through his process of feel but some of us need a number to put our minds to rest; he just sets it and tweaks it if he doesn’t feel right.
Admittedly, his saddle is too low from my taste but then again he’s only 4% away from being a chimp.
@Barracuda
Well, the VMH always raises an eyebrow when I suggest I “stick” myself, but I’m talking about these.
@frank
Sure, looks the right size for a big Dutchman.
@Ron That would have been genius mate if we did not have the irony of your typo in your last sentence! (insert relevant cheeky emoticon)….
@unversio
All part of my quest. I think I’ve got enough virtually unused saddles in my garage to start a LBS.
@Teocalli
Ta. Why do I have a feeling of having bared my soul? ha.
Long since forgotten seat post slippage, as mine on my steel Italian has welded itself into place after 100,000 km. Ain’t going nowhere.
Will link you and new book on my ongoing Bicycling Culture website (revived in 2008), supporting the velorution since 1990. Read Bike&Chain and Companion Reader for free, an experiment in freeganism.
Time for a bigger frame Frank? Or a frame with a normal ( straight) top tube?
@GogglesPizano
Might be worth it. It can only help with looking fantastic.
@Nik Can I ask what your shop is (in Seattle)? West Seattle/Burien here, possibly looking for a new saddle. Although I should probably just stick with the Flite classics that I’ve amassed…