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Setting your saddle height

Brian Lynne | Published on 12/2/2025



Setting Your Saddle Height

Modern bikes have a number of different adjustment options which can be used to ensure the bike is set up specifically for you. Having a professional bike fit is often a good investment but if you do not want to go that far, one key adjustment you can make is ensuring the seat height is correct.

Having your saddle set at the wrong height can make your bike uncomfortable and your pedaling inefficient, particularly for longer rides. A saddle that is too low can cause knee strain, and too high it can cause hip or groin strain.




The saddle, at the most efficient height, requires a rider to start and stop off the seat. It is likely you will only have the tips of your feet touching ground when on the seat and this is not a controlled way to start or stop. 

With the saddle at the correct height, attempting to stop requires the bike to be inclined at an extreme angle, which could cause a fall.

 

Learning to start and stop off the seat is an important cycling skill newer riders will want to learn in order have their seat at the best height.




The saddle, at the most efficient height, requires a rider to start and stop off the seat. It is likely you will only have the tips of your feet touching ground when on the seat and this is not a controlled way to start or stop. With the saddle at the correct height, attempting to stop requires the bike to be inclined at an extreme angle, which could cause a fall.

Learning to start and stop off the seat is an important cycling skill newer riders will want to learn in order have their seat at the best height.







Check the mechanism clamping the seat post in place on your bike.

  • Quick release lever,
  • bolt tightened with an Allen key needs a 5mm or 6mm Allen key.





To set the saddle height, wearing the shoes you will be using, sit on your bike leaning against the wall or have someone put the front wheel between their knees and hold the front of the handlebars.
Put both feet on the pedals and pedal backwards until one of your feet is at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

Move that foot forward so your heel sits on the pedal, you should have a straight leg. This is so that when you're pedaling on the ball of your foot, you have a slight bend in the knee. (About 5 degrees).

If your heel can't touch the pedal, then you will need to lower the seat. While having your heel on the pedal, if you still have a bent knee, then you should raise the saddle.

 

You may need to go through this process a number of times to get it right.

 

Most seat posts have a maximum adjustment point. Never exceed this as there will be insufficient seat post inside the frame, which could lead to the frame splitting or the seat falling out of the frame.

Tightening the clamping mechanism after adjustment is critical, but you should avoid overtightening as this could damage your bike. Carbon frame bikes are strong, but brittle, and it is essential that maximum torque recommendations are not exceeded. Use of a torque wrench is essential, and application of carbon frame assembly paste is recommended.



If your bike has a cam lever locking mechanism, it should close firmly, and the lever placed where it won’t catch anything and unlock.

 

Once you are happy with the result, pick your bike up by the saddle and shake it. If it has been tightened sufficiently, it shouldn’t move. The final step is to take it for a test ride. It is best to discover any issues close to home than out on a ride.
You may get a friend to follow you to observe that your hips remain in a level plane and do not rock whilst pedaling. Rocking indicates the seat is too high, which will cause hip issues.

 

If in doubt, take your bike to your nearest bike shop for assistance.

 

Happy, safe and comfortable riding. 





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