We will be running a series of articles addressing the issues that are involved in getting a proper bike fit. to do this we recruited Aram Goganian of Predator Cycles in Santa Monica, CA. He is known in these parts to be the bike fitter of the cycling elite.

Written by: Aram Goganian

SADDLE HEIGHT

There are three parts to a proper bicycle fit;
> the cleats
> the saddle position
> the handlebar position.
These are the only three points of contact a rider has with the bicycle.

Like in any industry we in the cycling industry see crazy fads come and go. A couple of years ago, the fad was to have your saddle positioned high on the bicycle. But not today. Now the fad is to have your saddle placed low on the bicycle. So the question why the change? Well, as cyclists look in magazines, and watch televised races, seeing how professionals ride with saddles placed low they try to duplicate the riding position in an effort to produce greater results. The problem with this is that the professionals have extremely good form and good pedaling technique.

Correctly fitting a rider is not as simple as slightly lowering or raising the saddle height. Most of the time we see issues with the position of the customers’ heels as they are pedaling. Typically, the saddle height is decided based on the bend of the rider’s knee. In spin scan analysis we have noticed that proper saddle height has so much to do with how efficiently the rider spins and where their dead spots occur as they pedal. If the rider is pedaling with their heel very low or very high, the bend of their knee changes. If the pedaling is incorrect, the saddle height is irrelevant. Thus, there is much more to it than just raising or lowering the saddle height. When the saddle height is lowered the set-back of the seat alters, the angle of the knee relative to the pedal changes and the reach to the handlebars is shortened. This can cause reduced power production and create more dead spots in the rider’s pedaling stroke.

Obtaining correct saddle height is critical. One should get professional help and it is important to find a fitter who is reputable. At Predator Cycling we take this matter very seriously.

To contact Aram go to Predator Cycling
2834 Colorado Ave Unit 57
Santa Monica CA, 90404
Ph: 310-829-6464