Felt Bicycle - Adjusting the Saddle to the Correct Height

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Adjusting the saddle to the correct height
The correct saddle height for almost all bicycle types is the height which gives
maximum pedalling comfort and efficiency. When pedalling, the ball of your big
toe should be positioned above the centre of the pedal spindles. With your feet
in this position you should not be able to stretch your legs completely straight at
the lowest point, otherwise your pedalling will become awkward. You can check
the height of your saddle in the following, simple way. This is best done wearing
flat-soled shoes.
With mountain bikes a lower saddle height is often better for some riding manoeu-
vres. A lower saddle is advisable in particular for riding steep descents or very
technical sections. However prolonged riding with a low saddle may cause knee
trouble.
Sit on the saddle and put one of your heels on the pedal at its lowest point. Adjust
the saddle height so that in this position your leg should be fully stretched and your
hips should remain horizontal (a).
To modify the saddle height, loosen the seat clamp binder bolt (using a suitable
tool) by turning it anticlockwise by two to three turns, or by using the quick-release
lever if fitted (first read the chapter: “How to use the quick-releases“).
Now you can adjust the saddle height to the desired position.
Be sure not to pull the seat post out too far. The mark on the seat post (max., min.,
stop) should always remain within the seat tube.
In the case of frames with seat tubes that extend beyond the top of the frame’s
top tube, the FELT seat post should be inserted into the seat tube at least a few
millimetres below the bottom of the top tube and below the top of the seat stay
junction! This can mean a minimum insertion length of 10 centimetres (4.5 in.) or
more.
Make sure the part of the seat post inside the seat tube is always well greased
(except for carbon seat posts or frames. They must not be greased!). Do not use
brute force, if the seat post does not move easily inside the seat tube or it cannot
be tightened sufficiently, ask your FELT dealer for advice.
Align the saddle with the frame by using the saddle nose and the bottom bracket
or top tube as a reference point (b).
Clamp the seat post tight again by turning the seat post binder bolt clockwise (c).
With the quick-release, you do not need much strength in your hands to clamp the
seat post sufficiently tight.
a a b c