I've been riding mountain bikes for some time now but due to an injury I'm spending more time on the street. After riding long trips (to me anyways 10-15 miles) I noticed I was really sore where the chamoi meets the seat. So yesterday I decidied to do some experimenting. I rotated the front of my saddle down 1 notch and took off for my 45 minute ride. What an amazing difference! For the first time I was able to "sit" on my saddle and be comfortable. My fatigue dropped dramatically and I was able to push harder. This brings me to my question.
How do you ride your saddle? Is there a formula for this or is it just to comfort?
Just what ever feels good under you. I have had the same problem recently after a purchase of a new saddle. A few adjustments and it was a much better ride than before.
I went with the conservative tested method: that is, I made certain the saddle was absolutely level (using a long straightedge), then I positioned the saddle vertically so that I was at KOPS (Knee over spindle) and my leg extension was correct, did some time on the street and adjusted fore and aft until it didn't feel like I had undue weight supported by my arms, and then finally did some small tilt adjustments to maximize relief on the naughty bits without feeling like I was sliding forward...
I realize that KOPS is no longer the holy grail of bike position as it used to be, but I think its a good guideline for a starting point...
After all that I still think I am in the testing mode... maybe after a few more years I'll have it down perfectly *laughing*
It's surprising how much even minute changes in saddle height, angle and position can do for your comfort.
Most/all saddles are designed to support the "sit bones" of your rear end, and are generally most comfortable when sat on this way (rather than using it more like a normal seat.)
Like the other folks said, a minor adjustment can make the difference of sheer agony and a decent ride. Myself after 5 or 6 hours in the saddle I am sore but can manage to go 8 or 9(with a few breaks in between) before my body refuse's to go any farther. Start off with a level seat as the other dude has said, and if your on a mans saddle you have to be back on your riding bones and not to far ahead(stay off the taint). As you know the front of a mans saddle is skinny so you dont get friction/sores. I slid my seat ahead until I could just feel the bones hitting and it took all the pressure off the "boy howdy's" I also found if my seat was a tad low it helped alot and I was actually stronger on hills,if I was sitting down. You just have to experiment.
