Saddle Height

[Toque]

Yup I'm a newbie biker. Been riding everyday though for the past year. I ride a shitty mtn bike. Back brakes make to much noise to use and the front brake wire is so frayed I'm scared I'm not going to make the next stop.

But my question - For distance riding how high should the post be. For maximum peddle power should my down leg be fully extended? Or should my up leg be at a right angle?

Also how the hell do you get chain oil off pants? Normal washing just doesn't do it.

[tywhy]

Originally posted by Toque
But my question - For distance riding how high should the post be. For maximum peddle power should my down leg be fully extended?

not quite straight. set the saddle high enough that your leg has just a little bend in it when the peddle is at the bottom of you downstroke.

[bagtagley]

The way I used to set it was to sit on the saddle, and with one pedal at its lowest point I'd straigten my leg and put my heal against the pedal. If the saddle was just about the right height, I could barely put pressure on the pedal. From there I'd ride and make small adjustments 'til it was right. Once I had it set, I'd gouge a mark into the seatpost so that I never had to go through all that bullshit again.

This method works well with clipless pedals, but I don't think it'd be effective with clips or flats.

[Artie Fufkin]

Here is the method that I always use:

"...correct saddle height, which will be within a centimeter of .883 x inseam length, measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the low point of the top of your saddle. This allows full leg extension, with a slight bend in the leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke."

[Toque]

Thanks
Not really sure what Artie said though. But the others make sense.

How about the chain oil question?

[Arty50]

Originally posted by Toque
Also how the hell do you get chain oil off pants? Normal washing just doesn't do it.

I would try pre-treating the stain with Shout. That might do it. Also there's the old car mechanics trick: dump a can of Coke in the wash.

[Toque]

Really coke does it? Can't get shout easily. Maybe I will have to try this.

Can't believe I'm taking cleaning tips from Maggots.

[gravitylover]

If your hips are wobbling the seat is too high. First I'd worry about the piece of shit bike though. Remember, some of us are driving on the roads you'll be riding long distaces on and we don't always pay attention to boneheads drifting around on dangerous bikes.

[Toque]

Don't worry fucker. We live more than 11000 km apart so you will have no worries as you drive your oversized SUV home after hitting up your local McDonalds.