The saddle Pelvic connection
Pelvic width is effected by changes in a riders back angle, as the Pelvic rotates forward the Pelvic narrows changing the contact points. The saddle height may need to be adjusted together with saddle setback as the back angle changes.
Contact between the Ischial Tuberosity, Prostate, Perineum may require the saddle tilt to be slightly adjusted as a result the change in contact pressure.
Since 2007 Saddle manufacturers have been producing different width saddles to better suit the riders individual Sit-bone (Ischial Tuberosity) width.
Common sizing from mainstream manufacturers are 128mm-130mm, 138-143mm, 145mm, 150mm and 155mm companies use a pressure plate to find the width of the Pelvic sit-bones although Brands such as WTB (Wilderness Trails Brand) have taken a slightly different approach to the Sit Bone width by using a comparison of your wrists. Read ( https://www.wtb.com/pages/fit-right-system ), read
Specialized have taken it digitally with by using a pressure mapping sensor, ( https://www.retul.com/dsd )
Regardless of how you arrived at your saddle choice it is important to set the saddle in the correct position on the bike, remember that on a standard road bike the rider is leaning forward to reach the handlebar resulting in a back angle ranging from 42-47deg from horizontal with a 82-87deg reach.
The best way to make your saddle position neutral should be based the saddle profile. (Profile when looking from the side)
Use a level to find the lowest point in the saddle profile, then half the rear of the saddle by finding the lowest to highest part of the saddle, once you have this position the saddle can now be adjusted to a neutral by the use of a level.
Place the end of the level on the position you have now marked as being the middle of the lowest to highest point, then extended the level forward over the highest point at the front of the saddle. This now is the neutral level position for all saddles. (There are a couple of different shape saddles such as Selle SMP and Cobb) where the manufacturer state the saddles should be positioned based on the rails but this is not perfect and the above method will still work.
and not on the saddle being levelled at the two highest points.
Regards Gary Land
0417300393
ProBikeFit
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