Difficulty
Easy
Steps
9
Time Required
30 minutes
Sections
1
- Seat
- 9 steps
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Introduction
A good bike seat in the correct position will not only provide a more comfortable ride, but also encourages good posture while minimizing unhealthy strain. It is important to make sure you have the best possible seat set-up for you, whether you are racing in the Olympics or just racing to class.
What you need
Step 1
Seat
- Before you begin the replacement, find the properly sized hex key for your bike’s seat clamp bolt. It should fit snugly in the bolt and the bolt should turn with the hex key without slipping.
- Access the bolt securing the seat clamp from underneath the saddle.
- Use a hex key to loosen the bolt by turning counter clockwise until the seat can be removed from the clamp.
Before you begin the replacement, find the properly sized hex key for your bike’s seat clamp bolt. It should fit snugly in the bolt and the bolt should turn with the hex key without slipping.
Access the bolt securing the seat clamp from underneath the saddle.
Use a hex key to loosen the bolt by turning counter clockwise until the seat can be removed from the clamp.
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Step 2
- Remove the seat from the clamp.
- It is possible that your clamp will disassemble into separate parts once the bolt is loosened. If the clamp has fully disassembled, keep track of its bolt, bottom plate, top plate, and nut.
Remove the seat from the clamp.
It is possible that your clamp will disassemble into separate parts once the bolt is loosened. If the clamp has fully disassembled, keep track of its bolt, bottom plate, top plate, and nut.
Step 3
- Position the new seat’s rails into the seat clamp with the clamp lying approximately flat and in the center of the rails.
Position the new seat’s rails into the seat clamp with the clamp lying approximately flat and in the center of the rails.
Step 4
- Replace the bolt by twisting it in the clockwise direction while holding the top nut in place.
- This step may not be necessary if the clamp was not fully disassembled when removing the old seat.
Replace the bolt by twisting it in the clockwise direction while holding the top nut in place.
This step may not be necessary if the clamp was not fully disassembled when removing the old seat.
Step 5
- Turn the bolt clockwise with the hex key to partially tighten the seat so it is stable enough to hold your weight.
Turn the bolt clockwise with the hex key to partially tighten the seat so it is stable enough to hold your weight.
Step 6
- Improper bike seat positioning can lead to discomfort while riding and even stress injuries.
- Test the position of the new seat by sitting on it. You should be in a neutral position (like in the photo) which allows you to comfortably reach the handlebars. You should not have any uncomfortable pressure when you sit.
- Check for a moderately arched back without strain in the shoulders, wrists, or hands.
Improper bike seat positioning can lead to discomfort while riding and even stress injuries.
Test the position of the new seat by sitting on it. You should be in a neutral position (like in the photo) which allows you to comfortably reach the handlebars. You should not have any uncomfortable pressure when you sit.
Check for a moderately arched back without strain in the shoulders, wrists, or hands.
Step 7
- If you feel cramped through the elbows and shoulders, have an uncomfortable negative arch in your back, or your upper torso is positioned directly above your arms (potentially causing wrist pain), your seat may be too far forward.
- If your seat is too close to the handlebars, push the seat back and test it for comfort again.
If you feel cramped through the elbows and shoulders, have an uncomfortable negative arch in your back, or your upper torso is positioned directly above your arms (potentially causing wrist pain), your seat may be too far forward.
If your seat is too close to the handlebars, push the seat back and test it for comfort again.
Step 8
- If you are overextending your arms, overarching your back, or feeling discomfort when reaching for the breaks, your seat may be too far backwards.
- If your seat is too far away from the handlebars, push the seat forward and test it for comfort again.
If you are overextending your arms, overarching your back, or feeling discomfort when reaching for the breaks, your seat may be too far backwards.
If your seat is too far away from the handlebars, push the seat forward and test it for comfort again.
Step 9
- Straighten the seat by checking for parallel alignment with the bike frame.
- Fully tighten the seat post bolt once you are satisfied with the positioning.
Straighten the seat by checking for parallel alignment with the bike frame.
Fully tighten the seat post bolt once you are satisfied with the positioning.
Happy riding!
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Anna Garverick
Member since: 02/17/2020
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Team
UC Davis, Team S1-G7, Andersen Winter 2020
Member of UC Davis, Team S1-G7, Andersen Winter 2020
UCD-ANDERSEN-W20S1G7
3 Members
1 Guide authored
