what seat height do you guys run for your dh race bikes?
DH seat height
- Thread starter bikedh7
- Start date
here is mine it's pretty much bar height, I'd go higher but the post is short
whatever feels good. Atleast thats how i determine it.
it depends on your bike, i run it as low as i can, but i have to leave it up a little, like 3 or 4 inches so i dont get saddle murp, like the r9 above
when standing my seat is about a inch above my kneecap level.
wait, so when you are standing next to your bike, you seat is only like an inch above your knee? damn, you got you seat slammed
ooo, that sounds a little better
I hate to brake it to you, but your seat is about 6" lower than your bars in that picture. Do you usually have it higher when you ride?here is mine it's pretty much bar height, I'd go higher but the post is short
In response, I rode my seat at ~3" below my stem-bar interface, or about 4" above my knees while standing on the pedals level. I like to be able to sit and pedal because I'm a lazy DH'er. Only problem is, after a day of DH (15000+ vert), I get bruises on my thighs when it's too high.
Your right its not quite bar height but it's alot less than 6" in that picture, it does look it due to the camera angle plus the fact that the bike is actually sagged about 15% under it's own weight.
thats a really nice r9,man! in response to this thread my seat is as high as my stem ..it helps when im tired so i sit and pedal hard on the smooth parts of the trail/track. i ride a medium bullit so i usually tiptoe when im sitting on my bike.here is mine it's pretty much bar height, I'd go higher but the post is short
I recommend running your saddle way down for steep technical courses and up a bit for courses that require more pedaling. How low you ask, it's pretty simple. When seated on your trusty sled, your feet should be flat on the ground with your knees slightly bent. As for pedaling courses, take a few practice runs at different heights and find the balance between power transfer and control.
About bar level, so I can get good leg extension when seated, and so its up there enough to use in certain cornering situations. I also find that if I were to blow my feet off the clips or otherwise start to flinstone something by accident, when its up there you have distance to "fall" onto or land on. If you seat is slammed, your going to fall a couple feet and rape yourself, if its bar level then you are falling a few inches before it catches you.
I usually run my seat about an inch or so below the bars. It depends on the course length, type and style though. As others have said: more pedaling or less tech usually means a higher seat. Other things like course length and the type of corners can change how I run the saddle as well.
But, mostly, it's just a personal thing. A buddy of mine who's about 3-4 inches taller than me got on my bike earlier in the season and the first thing he said was "holy crap, how do you ride with the seat so high?" I recently lowered it an inch or two, but it still just showed me how personal preference is the biggest factor.
But, mostly, it's just a personal thing. A buddy of mine who's about 3-4 inches taller than me got on my bike earlier in the season and the first thing he said was "holy crap, how do you ride with the seat so high?" I recently lowered it an inch or two, but it still just showed me how personal preference is the biggest factor.
Ditto run it as high as possible. Lower it when it interferes with your ability to get down the hill fast, ie you are using a lot of body english to get through a tech section, and your seat keeps getting in the way. I like nuking tech sections and would rather stand in the pedally parts...therefore I keep my seat low and out of the way.
i normally run mine about 2" or so below my stem. i cant stand having my seat that high when i dh. i also dont get why you guys are worying about good leg extension when your seated on a dh bike. when i race and come to a smooth section sitting down on my seat is the last thing on my mind.
so does anyone have a pic of peat's orange from last year. i think he used almost all of his post at one of the wc.
so does anyone have a pic of peat's orange from last year. i think he used almost all of his post at one of the wc.
a hair higher than my rear tire goes during full travel.
exactly what i said earlier, i get saddle murp, so i have to raise it, but about an inch below my stem, no too high, no slammed either
I just slam it all the way down and its fine.
i run mine almost up at bar level.
two reasons.
sitting up and pedaling.
and the seat that high for myself personally, gives me more control over the bike.
as it allows me to grip the seat with my upper thighs for more leverage.
where we ride is rather steep and rocky.
and getting way off the back of the bike and being able to get back up and over the seat has never been a problem.
i've tried slamming the seat.
and to me it takes away a major controling factor on the bike.
two reasons.
sitting up and pedaling.
and the seat that high for myself personally, gives me more control over the bike.
as it allows me to grip the seat with my upper thighs for more leverage.
where we ride is rather steep and rocky.
and getting way off the back of the bike and being able to get back up and over the seat has never been a problem.
i've tried slamming the seat.
and to me it takes away a major controling factor on the bike.
I dont understand how you and the sinister guys ride bikes that soft! Do you not like to feel the trail?
Well, it is a 10'' travel bike. v10's do the same thing...