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Beginner Cycling

Lisa B.
Lisa B. Sendmail

Slipping on bike seat

asked about 2 years ago | Report

I am training for a duathlon and today did 22 miles and was noticing I kept sliding forward on my seat. I kept wanting to push backwards and get more on the back of my seat. Is there something that I should adjust? Or is this just me?
Thx,
Lisa

Answer

6 answers

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  • Kevin M.
    Kevin M. Sendmail

    You might need to change the position and angle of your saddle. Assuming your saddle height is correct, hold the bike up and look at the saddle closely from the side. Your saddle's profile should be flat and even with the surface of the ground. If your saddle is old or you have been riding lots, it might not be flat anymore and may have worn down so it's now rounded where your sit bones rest. If this is the case, it may be time for a new saddle. But if it looks flat and it's comfortable, you should be able to loosen the nut underneath with an allen key (should be 6mm on most bikes I think) and slide your seat forward a bit. Only adjust it about 0.25" at a time. Small changes make incredible differences. Make sure you tighten the bolt up really well as these are prone to working themselves loose over time and your saddle will undoubtedly slide back on you again. Also make sure the saddle stays parallel to the ground when you tighten it back up again. If it angles forward too much, it will feel like you're being dumped forward. Hope this helps!

    answered about 2 years ago |Report

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  • Greg S.
    Greg S. Sendmail

    Go to a good bike shop and get a pro fit. Obviously your bike is not adjusted correctly. Its worth the bucks!

    answered about 2 years ago |Report

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  • Robert D.
    Robert D. Sendmail

    Lisa...get you a little bubble level like a carpenter usues...place the level so the ends of the level is resting on the nose and back of the seat level the seat sounds like your nose needs to come up little...I guarantee you will find this more comfortable...it sounds like you have a sort of a time trial position on your seat also here is a tip for ya in the hills...stand up and peddale about every ten minutes or so...just a couple strokes...and when you get hurting...slide you butt back to the back of the seat...and then back to your comfort position...and i bet this helps you time...climbing..and comfort...

    answered over 1 year ago |Report

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  • Bryce H.
    Bryce H. Sendmail

    I had the same problem on my old Raleigh so when I purchased my New Specialized Tarmac I noticed I was doing the same kept sliding to the nose of the saddle so I went to the bike shop and had my bike fitted to and in the process we had to change my saddle from the avg of 143 that most people ride to a 130 size and that made all the difference.

    Go get fitted and look at saddle size
    would be my suggestion

    answered over 1 year ago |Report

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  • Richard C.
    Richard C. Sendmail

    First thing I would ask is for you to tell me about your equipment? Are you using aerobars? Have you made any changes to your equipment recently? Are you wearing new biking shorts? How did you arrive at the present bike setup?

    There are so many variables that could be affecting your saddle position. One thing that may be happening is that as you train, your core is getting stronger and you are rotating your hips down in a more efficient position resulting in the body moving slightly forward. Or you could be developing some slight muscle imbalance due to strength gain that results in a slight change in your pedal stroke. A small move in saddle position can feel like a mile.

    First thing I would do would be to look at any changes made to equipment. Then I would do some work on pedaling efficiency, making sure that my pedal stroke and position were correct. If you think that this is going to be a problem, then the expense of a good bike fit might be in order to prevent some injury.

    answered over 1 year ago |Report

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  • Bryce H.
    Bryce H. Sendmail

    Went and had a bike fitting and found the saddle was the wrong size it was to big so went from a 143 to a 130.

    Have fun with your Dual.

    answered over 1 year ago |Report

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