Is Your Saddle too far Forward OR Back? (HOW to Set Saddle Fore-Aft)

Think I’m going to quit this hobby as setting a bike up sounds like an application at nasa

I can listen to this guy talk about bikes and fit all day long. Love your series with him. He is so logical with all his fitting advice. Thanks for sharing his wisdom.

Great! Finally someone explaining how do you 'feel' when your fit is right - and when it is 'not right'. I find this approach the most helpful, much better than formulas.

Neill is amazing. Sounds like your best friend explaining something to you.

FINALLY!! a fit video admits there isn't a perfect formula....it's about time! I am an old rider, been riding 10,000 miles a year for 50 years. Today I use 8 different bikes to get a different position every day of the week. Without these changes in bikes and positions I would not be comfortable riding 10,000 a year at 63 years old. So bikes are flat bar, road bar, aero bar // seat tubes at 72, 73 and 74 degrees // handlebar heights different on each // seat height varies by only 1 to 2 millimeters // seat tilt (the most important) varies on all bikes too // Top tube length and stem length vary also from bike to bike. Spine angle to the road varies on each bike from almost vertical to parallel to the road. I practice the main four pedal strokes with variable cadence on all bikes and get to know which is best for all flat rides, rough roads, high winds, all day mountains (no flats). Also get to know which bike to use for a particular workout day; long climbing (10+miles) , time trialing, recovery, long distance, commuting, relaxation low effort soft pedaling....

Neil is absolutely brilliant with his analysis. I'm learning quite a bit and will be getting a bike fitting soon. Good stuff!

Hey Cam I want to thank you for these fitting videos. I’m 192cm. Changed my stance, cleat position, moved my seat back and shortened my stem. This increased power, eliminated all knee pain, and also ended hand numbness. I feel like I’m just floating on my bike now. Loving the ride. It’s been cool seeing how little adjustments might turn into knee stress on on side or another or change pressure on my hands, and finally getting everything dialed in.

Hi, thank you for your videos. Thanks to you, I was able to adjust the saddle height correctly. I had a problem with my knees and the lower back, although I was doing the specialized bike fit before that. I reduced the height of the saddle and now I have no problems with my lower back and my knees. After I lowered the saddle, I had problems with its forward/backward position. I had ligaments on the back of my knee. For myself, I found a method to find the right fore aft position, I set the saddle as far back as possible, put the bike by the wall and started pedaling in the reverse position. That's how I felt that my ligaments were stretched and strained. I moved the saddle rails 3-4 mm step by step forward until this feeling disappeared. And now I am happy :)

Great video explaining the physics happening during saddle fore-and-after placement. The balance test is really great and helped me a lot.

Great to see Neill here! I was fortunate enough to work with him on my bike fit a few years ago and he is an absolute legend. Best money I ever spent.

Yeah, this bike fitting series with Neill is incredible! Thank you so much. I'm learning lots.

I was getting some disturbing numbness in the nether regions within 10 to 20 minutes of starting my ride. I changed my seat height and position and the numbness went away. I may still not be in the "perfect" position but this adjustment has allowed me to start enjoying my rides once again. Thanks!

Very practical, yet very scientific. I will apply what I've learned this weekend and throughout the week to find the best saddle position. Thank you.

Hi Cam, very informative video. I just swapped out my Sella Italia SLR Kit Carbonio saddle for the new Fi'zi:k Antares Versus Evo R1 Adaptive Saddle, this is the new 3D printed carbon saddle. It helps spread the support of my sit bones over a larger area and is much more comfortable. However, my hands were hurting and have been for some time now. I realized after watching your video I was pretty far forward on the bike and so I moved it back about 12mm. I'm now much more balanced and my hands feel much much better! I also did a FTP ramp test today and I have not lost any power. Thanks to you and Neill!!!

Thank you two—this series has been really helpful and validating as I have been working with my own positioning on the bike. Keep them coming!

Cam, just want to say thank you for these fitting video and big thanks to Neil for sharing these information. I had all the symptoms he described; but after watching the saddle height video and read a lot of Steve Hogg's articles, I pretty much eliminate all my issues. This video further confirmed my fore-aft adjustment. I'm now much more comfortable on my bike with higher FTP, Thank you!

Wow wow wow, I played around with this on my ride today and after the third adjustment I found the a sweet spot. It felt so good and I held my cadence in the 90’s while pushing a bigger gear. Thanks so much.

Read my mind, this was my #1 question for Neil. Awesome explanation. Now I need a shorter stem 😳😅Thanks for posting!

I am so happy I found these videos on this subject. I couldn't figure out why my toes were always numb..Moved my seat forward and changed the angle and omg the difference is night and day!!!

So much information to digest again. And still it all makes senses.