How to Adjust Bike Seat for Comfort
Introduction
Having your bike sometimes is useful to enable you to ride from one place to another. But, ask yourself one question: is your bike seat comfortable? Usually, to avoid any injuries that may occur while riding, your bike seat may need adjustment so as to have the correct height for efficient pedaling and comfortable ride.
Therefore, you can adjust your bike seat solely and easily for everything to be right. In this article, we are going to discuss details on how to adjust bike seats for a comfortable ride. Which, in turn, will enable you to know how you can maintain your bike seat all the time. Let’s see below.
What is a bike seat?
The bike seat is a seat consisting of a design that supports the back buttocks of the rider, when riding. Also, the seats are put in a semi-reclined position.
Steps on how to adjust bike seat for comfort
Generally, there are two main adjustments you need to carry out on your bike seat for comfort. They include adjusting seat height as well as adjusting seat placement. Both of these are discussed below.
1. Adjusting Seat Height
For accurate and better height adjustment, you need to:
a. Identify the correct height position on your bike for a bike seat
First, before beginning any modification, you should determine whether your bike seat has the right height such that your hips feel stable when riding. Besides, it is good to have your knee bent, while pedaling, with your foot at its lowest point. So, ensure that your knee is bent about 25 degrees.
b. Use a tape measure to determine your pubic bone height
Grab an adhesive tape, metal tape for measuring, and a ruler. Tape the ends of the measuring tape together between the stick paints. Keep your feet flat on the floor while 25 centimeters apart (as measured with a ruler). Position the paint sticks on your legs at 90 degrees to the hips and push them up until you reach your pubic bone.
Next, while putting one hand on your crotch and the other one back on your rear, hold the paint stick into place firmly. Next, you can find another person to assist in keeping a measuring tape on the floor and determine the measurement between the floor and the pubic bone.
c. Learn on the adjustment of your seat posts
You can loosen and adjust all the seat posts to the junction where the bike frame and seat post meet. You can use your hand to move a quick release lever from the base of your seat post. However, in case you find a small bracket having a screw on it, you can use an adjustable wrench or Allen key to loosen that bolt for smooth movement of your seat post.
d. Adjust the height of bike seat to your measured length
You can slide or push the seat post down or up so that you can obtain your appropriate measurement. Sliding is very useful so that you can make the seat post to the right height for you to find them easily when your friend borrows the bike or when your seat slips over.
e. Tighten the seat properly
Use your adjustable wrench or Allen key to tighten the bolt tight enough until it does not move either direction. However, you should not stretch it entirely because you need to undo it later. It is advisable to use your free hands to tighten your bike.
f. Check the measurement for a test ride
Get your bike outside for a trip slowly for a test. Ensure that you are reaching the pedals quickly at the same time, get back to the bike without locking your knees. Besides, it is good to ensure that your bike seat is facing ahead to avoid being uncomfortable when riding.
g. If there is an issue, troubleshoot by moving the seat up or down
In case you encounter any pain on your knees, the problem may result from the seat height. Therefore you should try to adjust your seat, but if the pain persists, then you can check the doctor.
2. Adjusting seat placement
a. Change backward/forward seat position by loosening the bolt below your seat
There is a small bolt that controls the installation of your place that points down at the wheel. It would help if you tried to loosen the bolt by twisting it counterclockwise so that you can decrease the pressure of the clamps, which keep the bike seat in place.
b. Ensure the seat is far enough to the forward for comfortability when riding
It is good to ensure that you reach the handlebars with your knees over the pedals. You can test it by standing while riding. If you can stand up easily without pushing or pulling at the handlebars, then your seat is in the correct position. However, when you experience any problem, slide your seat backward or forward if the bolt is loose.
c. Keep the seat angle at the same level as the floor
Ensure that the bike seat is flat using the carpenter’s degree so that your weight has an even distribution for comfortable riding. However, if you feel uncomfortable on your crotch, adjust your seat by adding about 30 in any direction.
d. Change the seat angle by loosening the bolt on the side of the seat
The bolt-on the right hand of the seat plays a crucial role in allowing you to change the seat angle and, at the same time, tightening it ultimately. Some of the bikes have two small bolts below the seat, which are useful when changing the seat angle. You can tighten one side while loosening the other one at the same time.
e. You can visit a nearby shop in case you prefer professional seat fitting
If you encounter any trouble in adjusting the height of the seat and the angle correctly, you pay your local bike shop for any clarification. They are capable of improving your bike seat quickly for comfortable and safe riding.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Should my bike seat be higher than handlebars?
It is okay if your handlebars are relatively higher than your seat for active upright riding.
• Is a full bike seat more comfortable?
Of course, yes. More full seats are capable of creating more chafing and friction when you are pedaling.
• Why are bike seats so high?
When your bike seats are high enough, you can extend your legs comfortably in any directions when riding.
• Why are bike seats so uncomfortable?
The bike seats are usually uncomfortable because of discomfort caused by pressure on the lower part of the sitz bones.
• Are Gel bike seats any good?
Gel seats are generally comfortable when they are new.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has been useful for you on how to adjust bike seat for comfort when riding. However, never raise the seat too high past the warning line, which is usually on the seat post. Therefore, adjust your bike seat for smooth riding all the time.