I would have put this in the MTB sub but they only allow pictures of people riding their bikes. I just acquired a small size frame giant fathom 2- 2020. The stand over height is 700 mm. 27.5 inch. My inseam is 28.5. being that there needs to be a slight bend in the leg, does my seat height look okay or should I raise my seat? Thanks
by Dare2no
5 Comments
That looks pretty much spot on. The general rule of thumb is to have you leg fully extended when you place your heel on the pedal in the lowest position, so it’s slightly less extended in normal riding. From the photo it looks perfect.
Maybe a bit low. You should be able to reach the pedal comfortably, but not over extend.
Depends what kind of terrain you’re riding. Flat, it’s a tad low. If you’re often stretching back behind the seat for descents and don’t have a dropper post, looks about perfect.
I prefer to be able to sit on the saddle, put my heel on the pedal, and fully extend my leg and lock out my knee. That makes it right about the right distance so that when my foot is on the pedal properly I have a little flex in my knee left at the bottom of a stroke.
But I like my mountain bike seats a little lower for extra clearance when I’m out of the saddle.
Ultimately, if it feels good go with it. Typically if your saddle is too high you will rock back and forth on the saddle and it will chaffe the hell out of your taint, ass crack, thighs, or where ever the friction is.
If your saddle is too low it will hurt your knees and/or sit bones, and make it harder to generate power.
most important is to make sure your ankle doesn’t move at the bottom of the pedal stroke; seat too high, and your ankle will move at the bottom.