Bike sizing and how to position the seat?

Question

Last Christmas I got a cheap road bike to learn on, I haven't yet gotten on it because I don't know how my seat should be in respect to how I am on the bike. I have been going to spin classes since and am slowly growing very fond of it. I biked a lot as a kid but not like a road bike. I am very eager to get on my bike now and just ride around every day! So if someone could help me on how to get my seat positioned properly and for later knowledge how does sizing go. I am planning on getting a newer bike soon and will get the shop to help size me but I would like to know as well.

THANKS! :)

Answer 1

The general rule is to have the seat about an inch above the handlebars.   Sliding the seat a half inch fore or aft can also make a huge difference.

Answer 2

There are some very simple ways of setting your saddle at least close to the proper position. Sit on the bike as you normally would, but put the heel of your foot on the pedal, now pedal backwards. You should just be able to keep your heels on the pedal at the bottom of the pedal stroke, without rocking back and forth. That should put you close as far as saddle height goes. If you want to set the saddle position forward and backward then sit on the bike like normal. With the pedals parallel to the ground drop a plumb line (A string with a weight on the end) down from the front of your knee (The boney k**b below your kneecap) it should fall within half an inch of the axle on your pedal. If it doesn't you can adjust the saddle forward and backward, and then reset the height.

After you make these two setups, you should be close. Then you can check the position of your handlebars. Put your elbow on the tip of your saddle and extend your hand and fingertips. They should just reach your handlebars. Too much closer and you will feel cramped, much farther away and you will be overextended. If the handlebar position is too far off of this, (more than an inch) then you might want to get a new stem. But don't move the saddle position to compensate for poor handlebar position.

These simple steps should get you set up fairly close. Now just go out and enjoy riding.