Saddle should be level....Or should it? | What's the correct saddle tilt? 

I uploaded an earlier version that had a flaw in the rendering so I deleted that a re-uploaded this version. i apologize to those who commented on that earlier version....if you make it back here, please repost those comments and I'll try to get to them as usual. Thanks, john

*Grandson lives out from town on 18 acres and the **Latest.Bike** is great on trails through the woods, on gravel driveway, and through the yard. Keeps them active. Thanks Easter Bunny*

Start with the saddle level. Bring your wrench go on a long ride try different positions until your comfortable.also try a few different saddles. Nobody should tell you how to adjust your saddle. Its a personal thing just like the saddle itself. I have my saddle nose up maybe 3-4 degrees. This gets your weight onto your sit bones and not your sensitive parts. Ive convinced several people to try it and they like it this way. I do get questions and comments about it but most important Im comfortable! Im able to do a lot of 5+ hour rides on very rough terrain

Perfect!! I always set my saddle straight. Tilted it a little bit and it gives me comfort. Thanks!!

These videos are great, a lot for me to learn here!

Great Video! Perhaps a good indication of proper saddle tilt is if the rider is most comfortable with their sit-bones on the widest part,and if they feel comfortable scooting forward,for example,in a sprint,or backward,as in a prolonged seated climb....

I get it now! I have a saddle like your first example and was never sure what level meant. Off to level it properly finally!

I love yer vids. It's like I'm in a bike shop getting a bike fitting for free. Also, since following your advice, my ride has been more enjoyable!

GREAT video! Thank you.

In my opinion, the most important factor is comfort. Your body will tell you what's best, and I imagine that everyone's body is different. Setting the seat level is just a general guideline; however, if you have pain or discomfort, then your body is trying to tell you that something is wrong with the seat position (or the seat design). If you ignore the pain, instead choosing to follow the general guideline, serious health problems could result. Again, your body will tell you what's right.

I bloody love your vids! It makes it all so much easier to understand why we need the contact points set up a certain way. No-one else is doing this so really appreciate the time you're taking to do this. If you could do a video on setting up cleats that would be great! :)

I just subscribed man! I find your videos very helpful and simple to follow. I don’t go to my bike shop that often anymore. 😉

very helpful video to me, thanks. I usually set my saddle almost back end(clamp very front of rails) and slightly nose down make me comfortable but I don't know why until see this video. I usually spring at sitting close to handlebar and relaxing and cruising at sitting far behind. and I'm slightly heavy. just over 190lbs ;)

excellent advice, cheers for that 🤙

I second what Trageser says below: start level but experiment freely to achieve a comfort level that's right for you. I had pain in the "taint" area such that I was about to give up biking. I tried several saddles before getting a Selle that saved me. I have it adjusted such that the center section is level, so the rear of the saddle is up, which puts more of my weight on my sit bones at the back of the saddle. Bottom-line: physiologies differ, saddles differ, approaches to riding differ, people differ--so don't feel compelled to adhere to some "rule" or "standard."

I've ridden well over 20,000 km with my Brooks B17 nosed up. It is the only way I'm comfortable and I can ride like that all day. My handle bars are higher than most bike fitters would put them. I'm not racing or trying to break speed records, but like long tours.

Excellent. Thanks

Getting a phone level app is very helpful when dialing in saddle tilt, gives the exact degree of tilt your saddle is at. Just make sure to calibrate it to the ground your bike is on.

Nice mate. got myself a new Fizik saddle I could change it now with allen/hex keys but waiting for torque wrench to be delivered so I can do it properly, gonna start doing more bike maintenance myself. Thanks for helping.

Excellent video! The only thing I would add is, when changing tilt to achieve comfort make the adjustments tiny. I use a digital level and it is surprising how much difference in feel a half of one degree can make.

Very helpful video.

The information about smp saddle blow my mind, my wife have one and she always complain about pressure in the intimate parts, but it's position wrong as you just show me. My English is bad, I know, but I just want to say thank you. Definitely going to try it.

On your squat Visio , I use a 1” pacer under my heels to give my quads and glutes a better workout.

It takes a good few minutes setting up a comfortable saddle 👍,I love the single Alan bolt mtb rocker with teeth style adjustment, fine tuning perfection and simple 🙏

Very informative

I have always put the front just higher than that back.

Thks. I really appreciate these vids and I'm slowly tweaking to see if my fit is right. I had my saddle tilted nose down to ease pressure off the perineum for a more aggressive riding position with the low stem. I enjoy riding in an aggressive position so do you think it would be good to lower my saddle and keep it level or continue to rid in this position if I have no problems? But I do feel my arms supporting alot more of my body. Thks

I know that there is a sweet spot on bikes by adjusting the seat tilt and height. If you get it just right, It makes peddling so easy. It makes you want to pedal more, Not hold on let me give my legs a break because they are on fire. It is very hard to find that spot though.

I went to 3 different bike fitters, but none helped. It costs me over $1000. I went for a long ride(100 miles) and adjusted my saddle along the way. Now I don’t even think about it even if riding 100 miles! My saddle position is now slightly downward on front, 2 degrees.

Also on a hardtail, just taking a seat will make your saddle tilt forward when your fork compresses.

in case anyone hasn't noticed, saddles are changing fast. This is probably the biggest area of innovation at the moment.

Recovering from a broken pelvis. And getting a new bike and a new saddle. With regards to seat rail material, if I am looking for something that will provide a little more shock absorption. What rail material should I look at- Carbon? Titanium? or CrMo? Weight is not my priority, but more comfort as I begin my journey back on the bike.

The saddle moves back and down on a full suspension mountain bike. This is dependent on how much air is in the rear shock. It appears these bikes have a wider flatter saddle to compensate for that. What have you experienced?

I acquired a Selle SMP Drakon saddle earlier this summer. Currently using it with the nose high point below a horizontal line off the rear high point. I use a shim taped to a bubble level to set it up. That's close to what I believe I will be using long term but, perhaps, a touch less tilt will be it. I try and give something like a position tweak at least 400 miles of riding to judge (unless it obviously was a wrong move). For what it is worth, this saddle has impressed me with the ride comfort it provides.

awesome channel

Yes in principle but practice. Sponge stuffed saddle will sag when compressed by pelvis is effectively nose up - even if measured horizontal moments ago. Attempt to maintain principally flat saddle can irritate our nerve in the growing area. The only way to compensate with this saddle I had to play with nose down angle bit by bit back to comfort. At that point my saddle measured -4 degrees from horizontal. The compensation angle varies from one saddle to another. But yes start horizontal and if it gives you overall comfort don’t change, otherwise adjust in small increments, trial and error to recover comfort. Remember that -4 degrees of mine is only true for a specific saddle slide location for a specific work load (eg spot vs race, climb vs flat). Some saddle design can tolerate pelvis locations more than others. Specially good to adapt varying load modes, speed vs torque and +/- gradients. These saddle has gentle front-back width transitioning.

What about a Williams SL 145mm, how would you level it? Just using the front flat part or putting the level between the front/back? Thank you ft your answer sir @fitadviser

i have mostly sculpted saddles that I will usually set up nose up 2 or more degrees. i find that this allows me to more securely rest on on the wider flat area, that would normally be tilted quite a lot. In the past, I've had Problem with slipping forward into the narrower section which obviously doesn't feel great. on my ritchey skyline this feels absolutely amazing, no pressure points, comfortable, stable, on my fizik antares, which is on a bike with slightly longer top-tube and stem, this hasn't helped much. in the latter part of medium-distance rides, i still feel myself slip forward and have to compensate by pushing the bars forward more and bending my elbows. i personally think that the antares' profile is too narrow for me. what do you think?

Hello BFA. I've viewed now a lot of your videos, cause of some problems i experience. My problem was the high amount of weight my hands have to carry. I tried your tips and just couldnt solve it (failed balance test even with 12cm of Setback, and hardly no Saddle to Handlebar Drop). I use a Fizik Antares R3 and i randomly tried a really weird saddle tilt. 7° Nose...up! Now i really felt how much pressure has gone of off my hands. Still not perfect, but this will be solved with some smaller adjustments. Have you ever fitted a guy, that needed such a huge Saddle up tilt like me? I really can't understand how i could slide forward with a nose up setup. So, that would really interest me, if this is just an anatomal thing, and some of your clients did have this "Problem" too thanks, i hope you reply to this!

Hi I have a charge spoon, would this be level across the whole top?

Surely trial and error is the only way to get this right? The video gives some very useful pointers, but people are asking "should I do this or should I do that?" when a few turns of a spanner and a test ride are all that's required.

Seems like a level seat is instantly wrong when you get to a hill. All of my time sitting is while climbing, so wouldn't it make more sense for it to be somewhat level on some average grade (i.e., nose down a bit on level ground)?

I see most of the season cyclist have slim thigh, while I have extra fats in between. Due to this, I have to set the saddle slightly nose downwards to release some pressure during paddle down, this greatly reduce some nasty skin abrasion after long ride.

Thanks Preferences on saddles in 2017 Related video? brand sizing 5-10 155lbs Other

I drive saddle tilted forward a little bit

Why do the manufacturers not set the neutral position such that it generally aligns with the saddle rails? I.e. If I level the saddle rails that matches the "intended position" of the saddle and then fine tune from there. If the Selle example in the video is true then the stock position requires you to have your seatpost at a significant angle to begin with.

Hi John, how does this recommendation relate to a race fit? I see a lot of riders now moving towards a nose down fit to get into a more aero position.

If you are comfortable with your own set up then go for it. Its your bike, your body, your rules.

Good video. I have been riding road bike for a few decades and never had any issues until I bought a new saddle (old one finally wore out). I mostly club rides hills and flats. I bought three different saddles that were all similar shape and style to my old saddle in an effort to match performance and feel. I made extensive measurements prior to removing the old saddle in an attempt to match position. That being said I am getting left ischium pain on rides of more than 40 miles. So bad I need to get off for a bit. I am feeling this on all three saddles but not the old one. Any ideas? Should I tip a little more down or just keep buying saddles? Current position is level flat.

You got to try this to believe it, cant seat sharply nose down! Sit on edge of back, no constriction, comfortable right height set.

John, Having a bit of an issue with what I believe is my saddle tilt. Getting some chaffing in the "underbum" area - where buttock transitions into legs or right on the creases sorta speak. Tried a few different saddle widths and narrow, which the narrow seems to work best for me. I've had bike fit with the old saddle which was wide, ramped up the mileage and out came the chaffing. Went to a narrow saddle and the chaffing is not as bad but still comes up from time to time. I find myself pushing myself back into place when on the Smart trainer and on the road at times. Any suggestions?

Ok I'll try that.

most people ride bikes not fitted to them. I see this all the time because there is no inexpensive way to try diff neck lengths, bar widths, frame sizes...

Riding a MTB, I'll often sit on the nose of the saddle on steeper climbs, which effectively lowers my seat height. Seems like a nose-up saddle might be better at maintaining the effective height, but probably not better on the, um... contact point. Thoughts?

I have the fizzik aliante shown in the video and I have been getting a sore tailbone post ride recently. I have been pushing my ride lengths in recent weeks however I think there is more to it than that. Does anyone have any tips for reducing stress in this area?

I hated bikes and hadn't been on one for over 20 years. The I wanted to try again and get into trail riding. The person helping me changed my life!! I mentioned my issue with bikes that had to do with seats. He simply said " have you tried a different width? " waaaaaaaa? I never noticed that saddles came with different widths as in an area I would call the neck.I just needed a narrow saddle and the rest is history!! Five years later mostly riding to work and I've got a good 11,000 miles. Still fat but that's another video. hahahaha!

I've been wanting to get a new saddle but don't know how to choose the right one, it seems one persons perfect choice is possibly another's nightmare and trial and error at $100-200 a pop sounds equally as much of a pain in the arse! Any recommendations?

I think UCI changed the regulations on max saddle nose down angle becuase so many pro riders are riding that way now. 6 degrees max maybe?

Great video but ya know 2:41.5

one allen key adjustment, its not that complex

I've put about 10,000 miles on my Selle SMP, and after lots of experimentation over that time, I've found the optimal position for me is -5 degrees (measured between the tail and hump in the middle). Riding an SMP "flat" as suggested here results in a saddle that is okay when riding in an upright position, but tremendous discomfort when rolling the hips forward in a more aero position, or riding the drops.

Wilier!

all saddles are a little different and manufacturers all have a different idea of what is level. Is a good starting point having the rails level (parallel to the floor)?

nice haircut

I dont care about bike fit rules. I dont race much. I just ride. Hard and far. I set up my bikes so theyre comfortable for me. Ive been doing it this way for 40 years.

Nose down just a bit

I’m 6’2 235 and ride a Giant TCR & bike struggled holding my size. So frustrating.

i'm a obese person and I find that I need to tilt the nose slightly down or else the curve on the nose presses against the jewels.

don't go carbon rails on the saddle. Steel. Carbon no flex = harsh ride.

You lost me at Selle SMP... 😄 no way that saddle should be level as you described. Try riding it that way and in most of the cases you get yourself an injury.

I wonder if my girlfriend likes it tilted 5 degrees to the front, because she feels like she can put in more power on the climb, is that a bad thing on the long run? :D.....Or it's just her psychological mind acting up?

No one seems much interested in showing how to actually do the tilting. The type of seat post I have doesn't make it obvious and the videos on youtube are not showing how to actually do the tilt with the type of hardware the bikes have. It's like saying fill up your car with gas but never showing how to get the gas in the car.

The Aliante is a bitch to get right but when you do you will reach bike nirvana

so what does an old fart do, no way mountain crap, bought a MTB on a garage sale steal but so far i junked the straight bar raised stem as high as could go and put comfort bar on, getting it close, but still have a tndancy to slide out of saddle,would it help to slightky raise the nose, actually have no nose, i am just street bycking 50 50 black top and some gravel, getting there.but not quite yet,

Why do the pros have the fronyof the sadle somethimes a little bit down ? There bike fit must be good. I have done a bike fit too and my saddle is 2° down too and a low stem its for racing

Did you said shit on the saddle?

Dear me, Saddles, there's nothing scientific about it, it's trial and error, Cheapest saddle could be the best fit. If you have a lot of nerves in the soft area between the bum the and testicals then no matter what the measurements say, your going to need to take pressure off the area buy tilting it down and/or lowing the the seat a mm or 2 so that your putting more weight through your feet. I suffer with numbness in that area if its tilted up and its not pleasant at all. Its not the differecult, get it to a comfortable to a point and then fine tune

2:41 for a naughty word

Can u minimze the talks?🙄

NOT HELPFUL. Sorry. Does not properly answer the title question

I’m none the wiser after watching that. I assume numb-nuts = nose too high?

He said sh*t

He said sh*t in 2.40

No help