Moving the seat forward and hamstrings

Training
1

Hi all,

Hope I am putting this in the right category. I moved my seat forward a bit 5mm (and slightly up 2-3 mm). I did this since I felt I am a bit too stretched out on the bike and reaching for the handlebars. After doing this I certainly feel the position of my body in relation to the bars is much better, feel more relaxed and not stretching. But, now I am gettting tension on my hamstrings and one knee has some discomfort. I was wondering if such a change really can cause such an efect? Or maybe my legs are not used to this new position and I need to give it more time? Any suggestions on how to help with the hamstrings?

P.S. I did get a bike fit. I am working within that bikefit. I rode 1 year with the original bike fit setup and I just want to reach a bit less.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Pawel

2

If 5mm is enough to reduce the stretch to a more comfy position, I would suggest to rotate the handlebars a bit up or moving the brake levers up which will bring them closer. That will result in a very similar reach reduction without moving the seat. This off course only works if you ride mostly on the hoods. It will slightly reduce stack as well. But it should not influence your position in regards to the bottom bracket.

3

Hi,

Thanks but unfortunately it is an integrated cockpit. And I did the saddle only after raising the shifters up the drops to what I consider the most comfortable position. And that is why I wanted to shift the saddle just a tad.

4

In that case, and given the fact that you get one-sided knee issues, drop the saddle back down.
One sided issues are most of the time caused by a saddle that’s too high.
Don’t assume that it ‘needs time’! The hamstring tension will probably get away, but not the knee discomfort!
I have always wondered why cyclists aim to get their saddle at the highest possible position that is still comfortable. Being a bit lower is more aero… and (within reason off course), you will not loose power. Most of the time, being a bit lower has a a positive effect on smoothness.
By raising your saddle, you increased drop, thus your upper body is more leaned forward, and that lengthens the posterior chain = hamstrings.

1 Like
5

Thanks, will give it a try!