How to Set the Seat Level on a Bicycle
Like changing a flat, setting the seat level on a bicycle is one of the basic skills that everyone who rides bikes should master. Having the seat height adjusted correctly will help prevent cycling injuries, will make handling your bike easier, and will enable you to pedal more efficiently. A correctly adjusted seat height will also enable you to ride more comfortably for longer periods of time. Getting the job done is simply a matter of loosening a bolt (with or without tools depending on your bike), determining the correct seat height, and then tightening the bolt again.
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Things You'll Need
- Allen wrench- 5mm or 6mm
- Fixed Wrench- 13mm or 14mm
- (no wrench will be needed for quick-release style seat bolts)
Instructions
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1
Loosen the binder bolt that holds the seat post in the seat tube of the bicycle frame. This bolt is found at the top of the seat tube where the post enters the frame. There are generally three different types of bolts that manufacturers use to hold seat posts: quick-release, allen bolt, and conventional bolts.
If you have a quick release bolt, flip the quick release lever up and unscrew the bolt until the seat tube is loose enough to move up and down.
If you have an allen bolt, insert the allen wrench (usually 5mm or 6mm) into the hexagonal allen bolt head and loosen by turning counter-clockwise. After the seat post can be easily moved up and down stop loosening.
If you have a conventional bolt, use standard wrench (usually 13mm or 14mm) to grip the bolt. Loosen by turning counter clockwise and stop after the seat post can be easily moved up and down. -
2
Hold the seat and slide it up and down to adjust to the desired height. If the seat post does not move easily, gently twist the seat from side-to-side to help loosen it.
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Determine proper seat height by sitting on the bike while it is leaning up against a wall, or if you have one, lock it into a trainer. Place your heels on the pedals and pedal backwards. Your legs should be completely extended (no bend in knee) at the bottom of the stroke when the pedal is closest to the floor and your heel is still in contact with the pedal. This method determines a good starting point for bicycle seat height, and over time, small adjustments can be made to maximize your comfort and pedaling efficiency.
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Tighten the binder bolt by locking the quick-release lever or by using the appropriate wrench. The bolt should be tight enough so that the seat tube does not move when the rider's weight is on the bicycle seat. Be careful not to over-tighten as this can damage the frame of the bicycle.
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Tips & Warnings
Once removed, seat posts and binder bolts that were very tight can be greased to make future adjustments easier.
Seat posts have markings on them that show the minimum insertion point. Raising the seat post above this point can jeopardize the safety of the rider.
