what is the correct height to position your bicycle seat?
458917
Positioning your saddle is a tricky thing, and is surrounded by a lot of myth and misinformation, and even some black magic.\n\nIt all comes down to personal preference, your body makeup, and the kind of riding you're planning to do.\n\nBoth height, as well as the fore/aft position are important. Saddle tilt is a bit of a personal preference, though many opt for a completely level position.\n\nFore/aft positioning relies on the length of your legs and the style of your riding. Those folks with long femurs who like to push big gears tend to opt for the leverage afforded by positioning the saddle farther back on the seatpost (behind the bottom bracket - the axle the cranks are mounted to). Those with shorter femurs tend to posiiton their saddle a bit forward.\n\nHowever, it should be noted that in most cases, you should ensure that your weight is evenly distributed over the bike. Positioning the saddle too far back or forward may affect the way the bike handles (if the weight is unevenly distributed).\n\nMany folks will tell you to simply position your saddle such that when you're on the bike, your leg should be almost fully extended at the bottom of your pedal stroke. This is a very general method, and may work for most people, but might not be right for you. Listen to your body; do what's comfortable.\n\nNEVER adjust the height of your saddle drastically. Make your adjustments in very small increments over time, so that your body can slowly adapt to the changes without risking injury (knee problems being the biggest of the potential problems). 2-3 mm every 1-2 weeks is good.\n\nLastly, I would recommend finding a reputable, knowledgeable local bike shop to help you out. A good shop will have a sizing system to help you find your optimal setup.\n\nGood luck!
351075
what is you lowest low?\n\n On my 60 CM Palo Alto it's 34x28, on my 58 Merckx is 42x21, I am 6'2" with 170mm cranks on both ( triple gipiemme on the Palo Alto ). Rode in Mexico 2 years ago with my Campi Double 41x22 on 7% grade for 2 miles and I nearly died, hence the switch to 34 on triple low and 28 rear for my "Mexico" bike. Both bike are old school non carbon steel Italian ( the Merckx is Belgium ) bike with Campi Super Record groups on both bikes ( no longer made , about 20 years old, but got all the parts on eBay, some of it NOS ) with toe clips ( yup even retrofitted modern SIDI shoes for toeclip use. ).
477968
Whatever size you feel comfortable on. You shouldn't buy a bike based only on your height. Some people like bikes that are a little lower, some a little higher. Just try a few out a see what you like.
624398
Try this:\n\nhttp://www.greatseats.com/seating_chart_display.asp?loc_id=250006&offset=-1
625052
I used to ride one of those big cushy gel seats and still have discomfort, so I talked to someone at a reputable bike shop about it.  He said that those seats can cause you to rotate forward, diminishing pressure on your butt, but increasing pressure on your crotch area and the pubic bone.  He suggested a saddle with a split down the middle because it distributes pressure more evenly.  He said to look for one in which the edges of the split are not too pronounced or "sharp" and selected one he thought would work for me.  Then he put electrical tape on the rails so that I could ride with it a few times and then take it off and remove the tape if it didn't work (so that it would be in new enough condition to return.)  It's worked out pretty well so far and I appreciated the fact that they were willing to find a way to let me test it out.
950760
Your saddle should not be putting you in the wrong position.\nIs the saddle the right size for your body? If it is not to big you should be fine.\nThey are made with a really deep seat and swept back swells to keep you locked into position and to stay centered whne you turn corneres fast.\nBut if you feet are behind you it sounds more like you are sitting up on your crotch an not on your seat bones.\nIf you have a trainer have them look at you or have someone take a vidoe of you riding like in an arena. \nSee if your feet are in line with your hips and shoulders. If not you need to practice the proper position. Have someone set you into the position and get the feel of where you should be. \nPractice practice practice it takes time to get a good seat. \nIf you are not comfortable in the barrel saddle look at other models you may find something that fits you better or puts you into a better position.\nGood luck.
1144152
triathletes use a "back of the seat" system, check this out \nhttp://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18690&subcategory_ID=4342\n\nyou should be able to find one at any local bike shop. hope that helps ;-)
813099
from the top tube to  the ground...for road you should be minimum 1" away (inseam) for mountain ideally 2"
1153909
Get the correct size.\nGo to a good bike shop in your area.  A proper fitting for a bike should take a fair amount of time and should include such considerations as your physical ability, age, flexibility, and goals.\nOverhead on bicycles is very low, so don't expect any great deals by going to a place that doesn't provide good service.  More importantly, a bike that isn't right for you will sit in the garage and rust.
1171715
pick a gear where you dont have to pedal that hard, you want to use your body weight as a counterbalance...lean back and pull up your handlebars hard...after a few tries you will pedal longer.\n\nif you pull up too hard or lean back to far,your bicycle will flip out from under you..its all about balance...it doesnt come to you overnight but with work and practice you will know how hard to pull up and how far to lean back.
638178
It will depend on what type of bike and what type of riding you plan to do. Is it a road bike or a mountain bike, or maybe a bmx? \n\nAlso, the manufacturers may have slightly different methods of measuring their bikes. What is 19" from one manufacturer may be 18.5" from another. \n\nThe best thing to do would be to go into a dealers shop and ask them. (Don't buy from wal-mart or sears etc.) They have tools that will help determine the best size and fit. Then take some bikes for a test ride, see how they feel.
814785
bikesdirect.com has guidelines on the size.
431335
You do not measure a bike from the pedals to the top of the saddle. There are variations in crankarm length and saddle height that would provide a very inaccurate measurement of the bike with regards to sizing.\n\nSizing conventions vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and is best measured in centimeters. The only bikes that are measured in inches these days are mountain bikes, and those crappy store bought road and mountain bikes.\n\nIn the old days, a company would stamp the size of the bike on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell, or other inconspicuous location on the bike frame.\n\nNowadays, most manufacturers adhere to a standard of measuring from the center of the bottom bracket (running along the seat tube of the frame) to the center of the top tube.\n\nBut now with the advent of the compact frame and semisloping frame, it can get a bit more confusing. There's virtual length, and actual length.\n\nBest bet is to check your bike manufacturer's site.\n\nFor example:\nhttp://veloeuropa.com/product_nerv_specs.shtml
665777
Height is less of a pre-requisite although it will govern your weight and aerodynamics in the saddle.  The lighter you are, the better.\n\nHowever, Lester Piggott was 5 ft 7 1/2 inches tall and Richard Hughes of the UK is 5ft 10 inches.\n\nIf you're serious about it, this is a really good site:\nww.jockeysroom.com
612191
Trifecta makes adult trikes also you can look at recumbent bikes. walmart has a trike on its website you can look at but also look at bike shops they should have alternative bikes for adults. If they are not in stock they should have literature. If you care for a 2 wheel bike you can get one with a shorter tire height in almost any store, the better brands have different frame and wheel sizes to adjust fit. The reason for a larger bike is to maximize the stride while riding. Usually you want to be able to place both feet on the ground while standing off the seat. Your best stride is with the toes/balls of feet on pedal and leg fully extended at the bottom of the rotation, but you can get by with a shorter stride if you  want more safety because of the braces. Go to a good bicycle shop and get as much info from them as you can as to styles of bikes fit and so on.
602945
when you sit on a bike seat, it's your 'ischial tuberosities', or 'sit bones' that take most of your weight - these are the bony bits at the bottom of your butt. everyone has different sit bones, and it really is just a case of some seats not suiting some butts.\n\nwomen's sit bones are further apart, so this is why women-specific seats are wider, but obviously there's a lot of variation between different people of the same gender. it may be that this seat just doesn't suit you.\n\nhowever, before you go and buy a gel cover or a different seat, try altering the angle (if your seat is adjustable) and the height. as a starting point your legs should almost be straight at the bottom of the pedal stroke (not too straight as your hips will rock side-to-side, and that will hurt!), and the top of the seat should be almost flat. if that's still not right, then try tweaking it a little. half and inch forward / back / up / down or a couple of degrees tilt forward or back can make a lot of difference.\n\nthe other thing to consider is the handlebar height and reach - make sure that's comfy too.
1183913
all this advice you have received so far is a bit skewed and lacking practicality.  first off, if your bike is small enough, you can lower your seat, and take off the pedals.  good pedals require a 15mm wrench to remove, cheap ones a 1/2'' wrench, the one on the non drive side is reverse treaded, ie left is tighter... dropping your saddle and removing the pedals allow you to push around with your feet, and let you instantly put a foot down if you feel scared.  i would push around in a garage or in an empty parking lot, until you get the hang of even being on a bike.  adult training wheels are a bad idea, they train you to let the training wheels balance you, making you more or less rely on something that soon wont be there....