How to Accurately Measure and Reproduce Your Bike Saddle Position Time After Time – Part I – Saddle Height

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I am frequently asked when performing bike fits how to measure the saddle height and reproduce the saddle position if the seat post is moved or taken off.  Here is a reliable way to reproduce bike saddle height or match saddle height bike to bike for a similar style bike (i.e.-road bike to road bike or cyclocross to cyclocross bike) with the same saddle.  If two saddles are different, the seat heights may not directly transfer.  Your pelvis will interact differently with each saddle brand and shape and may require some minor adjustments to your previously established position.

A few easy steps will have you confidently positioning your saddle time after time.

1.  Find the point on your saddle that is 80 mm wide and place a piece of painter’s tape there with the back edge of the tape at the point where the saddle is 80 mm wide.

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3.  Measure from the center of the bottom bracket to the back edge of the painters tape.  The non drive side is preferable but the measurement can be done on either side.  Just be consistent with the side you pick.  Some modern cranks do not have a nice central crank bolt to measure from on the drive side.

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4.  You will want your saddle height to hit the back edge of the painters tape.  For this example the target number is 74 cm.

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So fear not the dreaded move of your seat post and be confident in your technique to find and reproduce your established saddle position.  Once you have your saddle height dialed, you can always wrap a piece of electrical tape just above the seat collar for an easy reminder of saddle height.

Ride on and visit ptbikefitllc.com often