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How to Adjust a Bicycle Seat and Handlebars

Member
By catmccabe
User-Submitted Article
(0 Ratings)
bike and tools
bike and tools
photos by author

Keeping your bicycle seat and handlebars properly adjusted will keep you biking in comfort and injury free. These instructions are meant for a plain old 3-speed touring bike. Anyone can do this, even if the hexagonal bolt on the handlebars is rusty or stubborn.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    For the seat: Your leg should be slightly bent at the lowest point of the pedal stroke when you're bicycling, so you'll want to raise or lower the seat to achieve that.

  2. Step 2
    crescent wrench
     
    crescent wrench

    Loosen the bolt under the seat with the crescent wrench. If the bolt is rusty or stuck, tap it with the hammer, and spray with DW-40 or other lubricant. Remove the nut, washer and bolt. Pull on the seat or push it down until you get the desired height.

  3. Step 3

    Slip the bolt back through, and reinstall the washer and nut. Tighten with the crescent wrench - make it good and tight.

  4. Step 4

    For the handlebars: On a touring bike, you want to sit up as straight as possible to avoid pitching forward, which places a lot of stress on your wrists, arms and neck. A good measure is to make the handlebars and seat about equal in height. I like to have the handlebars slightly higher.

  5. Step 5
     

    Insert the Allen wrench into the hexagonal hole, and turn counterclockwise to loosen. If it's stubborn, slip the end of the Allen wrench through the hole in the handle of the crescent wrench - this will give you a lot more torque (worked for me, and I'm a lightweight!). If that doesn't work, try tapping it with a hammer and using the DW-40.

  6. Step 6

    Raise or lower the handlebars to the desired height. Center the handlebars over the front wheel before you tighten the bolt - they may have slipped off-center a little while you've been working on them. Clean off any excess oil or grease - and you're ready to go!

Tips & Warnings
  • The whole adjustment process will go a bit faster if you have someone there to help hold the bike and judge how high or low the seat and handlebars should be.
  • Wear a helmet when you ride. Life is short, but head injuries are easily avoided.
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