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While your bike probably came with a stock saddle, it may feel uncomfortable to sit on if you go on a long ride. Luckily, many bike stores sell after-market place saddles with additional support so you don't get sore, and yous can easily install it within a few minutes. There are many styles and shapes to choose from for your saddle, but they'll all clench straight to the seat post using hex bolts. Once you lot have the new saddle fastened to your frame, have some fourth dimension to position it so yous have the proper course when you ride!

  1. 1

    Unscrew the clamp bolts on the bottom of the saddle. Locate the 1 or 2 hex bolts connected to the metallic clamp directly underneath your saddle. Fit a hex wrench into the bolt and turn it counterclockwise past 2–three rotations. If your saddle has a second bolt, unscrew information technology evenly with the first i so you don't strip the threading. Loosen the bolts only enough so you lot can move the metallic clench around.[1]

    • Typically, wheel hex bolts are 5 mm, simply it may vary depending on your model.

    Variation: If you don't encounter any bolts on the lesser of the saddle, information technology may exist fastened directly to the seat post. Look for a bolt or knob where the saddle connects to the frame and plow it counterclockwise. One time it'southward loose, you can lift the saddle upwards off of the mail service.

  2. two

    Elevator and plough the summit clench to remove the saddle. Look for the sparse metallic runway that run downwards from the saddle and go underneath the metallic clamp on the seat post. Catch the summit slice of the clamp and lift it up so it isn't touching the saddle rails. One time y'all motion the clamp out of the way, lift your old saddle straight upwards to remove it.[two]

    • If you can't turn the clamp and information technology has 2 bolts, you may demand to unscrew one of the bolts completely.

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  3. 3

    Clean the dirt and residue off the clamp with a damp paper towel. Wet a newspaper towel with clean water or isopropyl alcohol and use information technology to wipe the clamp down.[3] Work the paper towel into the channels along the sides of the clamp so they're completely clean. Make sure yous wipe both the top and lesser pieces of the clamp.[4]

    • If clay or residue gets stuck in the clench, your saddle may creak or squeak while you lot're riding.

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  1. 1

    Grease the bolts and new saddle runway with wheel lube. [5] Place a fingertip-sized amount of lube on the bolts' threadings and spread information technology effectually with a newspaper towel. Plow the bolts in the clench to distribute the lube more evenly. Then, coat the metal rails on the bottom of your new saddle with lube so information technology doesn't creak while you lot're riding.[half dozen]

    • You lot can buy wheel lube online or from a local sporting goods store.

  2. 2

    Ready the saddle rails in the bottom clamp'due south channels. Signal the front of the saddle toward your bike's handlebars and so information technology'due south in line with your bike frame. Position the rails so they sit inside of the channels to ensure you can hands move your saddle around later on. Hold the seat in place so information technology doesn't plow or movement.[seven]

    • Information technology doesn't thing how far forwards or backward you position the saddle correct now since you'll be able to adjust it later.

    Variation: If your saddle doesn't have runway and connects straight to the seat post, simply slide the post into the pigsty on the bottom of your saddle.

  3. 3

    Reposition the top clamp then information technology fits over the rails. Concord your new saddle in place with your non-dominant hand. Use your ascendant paw to take hold of the top half of the clamp. Plough the clamp so it wraps effectually the saddle rails and presses down confronting the lesser one-half. Line upward the commodities holes on the top with the ones on the bottom so you lot can screw the bolts dorsum in.[eight]

    • Go along your hand on the saddle since information technology's yet loose and could fall off.

  4. iv

    Tighten the clamp bolts to hold the saddle in position. Agree the saddle with your non-dominant hand so information technology doesn't shift around. Apply your hex wrench to plough the clamp bolt clockwise. If the clamp has multiple bolts, tighten them evenly then they don't go damaged. Screw the bolts in until your saddle doesn't move around on its own but exit it loose enough where you can still jerk it around.[9]

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  1. i

    Notice the length of your inseam past measuring from the floor to your groin. Agree a level or ruler between your legs so it'southward parallel to the floor. Pull the level upwards as far as you comfortably can. Enquire a helper to measure out from the floor to the top of the level to observe your inseam measurement. Write downward the number then you don't forget information technology.[10]

    • If you don't take a helper, stand next to a wall and mark the top of the level with a pencil. So, measure out from the flooring to the mark.

    Warning: Don't use the aforementioned inseam measurement you would use for clothing since it volition exist shorter than what you need and could make riding uncomfortable.

  2. 2

    Multiply your measurement past 0.887 to find your ideal saddle pinnacle. When you're pedaling, y'all don't want to fully extend your leg since it will make your body stone and get uncomfortable. Calculate the new height for your saddle and write down your adapted measurement.[11]

    • For example, if your measurement was 30 inches (76 cm), then your equation would be 30 10 0.887 = 26.61 inches (67.half-dozen cm).

  3. 3

    Measure the seat post from the top of the saddle to the bottom bracket's axle. The bottom bracket is where the pedals connect to your cycle frame. Put the end of your record measure on the center of the axle and pull it upward the seat post. Extend the record measure out until you reach the pinnacle measurement yous only calculated. Proceed your tape measure out in place or ask a helper to concord information technology for you.[12]

    • Don't measure from the ground, or else you'll set your saddle too low.

  4. 4

    Loosen the bolt on the seat post. Wait for a metal ring or clamp that has a hex bolt where the saddle connects to the bike frame. Plow the bolt counterclockwise with your hex wrench until you lot're able to heighten and lower the saddle.[xiii]

    • Your seat may drib down to the lowest position when y'all loosen the bolt.

  5. 5

    Position the top of the saddle to your adapted measurement. Grab the lesser of the saddle so you can easily heighten or lower it. Motion the saddle until the top lines up with the measurement. Plow the hex commodities clockwise to lock your saddle into place.[xiv]

    • While this should put your saddle in a comfortable position, the saddle height depends on your personal preference and what feels all-time when you're riding. You may need to make adjustments to the height again if yous feel sore or uncomfortable.

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  1. 1

    Tilt the saddle so it's perfectly horizontal. Park your wheel on level ground so you fix the bending accurately. Place a level on the saddle so information technology'southward in line with the frame below information technology. If the saddle isn't level, loosen the lesser clamp bolts and grab the back side of the saddle. Enhance or lower the back of your saddle until the level is horizontal.[15]

    • If you set the angle as well far forrard, you'll slide forward while you ride and put more pressure on your artillery. If the saddle tilts back, your legs won't exist in a proficient position to pedal.

  2. two

    Slide the saddle frontwards so the dorsum of your knee joint lines upward with the pedal axle. Sit on your wheel and motion the pedals around until they're at the aforementioned height. Tie a small-scale weight to a string and hold it against your leg behind your kneecap. Allow the string hang directly down and look where it intersects the pedal. If it lines up with the small axle running through the centre pedal, and so your seat is in the correct forward position. If non, push the saddle direct forward or dorsum and check again.[xvi]

    • Y'all may need to inquire a helper to support you and your cycle while you lot have your measurement.
    • If y'all don't have the saddle in the right forward position, it may be more than difficult for you to pedal.

    Tip: Your saddle may have numbers or measurements printed on the rails. Have a motion-picture show of your saddle when you lot accept it in the right position so you can use it as a reference later on.

  3. 3

    Tighten downward the clamp bolts to lock the saddle in place. Turn the bolts clockwise with your hex wrench to screw them dorsum into the top function of the clamp. If your saddle has two bolts, be certain to tighten them evenly and then y'all don't stress or strip them. Once you secure the bolts, you can ride your bike comfortably![17]

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Add New Question

  • Question

    How should y'all install a bike saddle when first learning to ride a bike?

    Jonas Jackel

    Jonas Jackel is the Possessor of Huckleberry Bicycles, a wheel retail store based in San Francisco, California. Jonas has over twenty years of experience managing bicycle retail stores and has operated Huckleberry Bicycles since 2022. Blueberry Bicycles specializes in servicing, repairing, and custom building route, cross, gravel, touring, folding, and due east-bikes. Jonas was also previously sat on the Lath of Directors for Bike East Bay, a bicycle-advocacy non-profit organization based in Oakland, California.

    Jonas Jackel

    Owner, Huckleberry Bicycles

    Expert Answer

    It helps to put the seat downwards kind of low while you're learning then y'all feel comfortable getting your feet down on the ground. Once you go the hang of it and yous tin balance okay, so it's a lot easier to set the seat up a little chip college so you tin extend your legs more. As you become more comfy, yous tin can crank the seat upwards higher.

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  • Your seat position depends on your personal preference, so keep making adjustments until you feel comfortable while you're riding.

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  • If your hips stone back and forth while you lot're riding, your seat may exist too high and make you uncomfortable on longer rides.[eighteen]

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Things You'll Need

  • Hex wrench
  • Paper towel
  • Bike lube
  • Level
  • Measuring tape

References

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