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ELITE EXERCYCLE ASSEMBLY MANUAL
SEAT ADJUSTMENT
Saddle Height Adjustment
Having your bike seat adjusted to the right height is essential for a comfortable ride, efficient
pedalling and avoiding injury. There are 2 adjustments located on the seat post. The first is a
vertical height adjustment, the second is for horizontal seat position. Although there are many
methods and opinions on the optimal saddle setting, the following is a quick and easy method to
get started. Further adjustments can be made afterwards to optimise your position and comfort.
Saddle Height Adjustment
Place your heels on the bike pedals and pedal backward. Your legs should be fully extended with
your knees straight. If your hips rock from side to side while pedalling backward, the seat is too
high. Place the ball of your foot on the pedal. There should now be a slight bend in your knee
when the pedal is at its lowest point. This is a good starting point.
Adjusting Seat Fore and Aft Position (if applicable to your bike)
Once you’ve adjusted the seat height, it’s time to find the correct fore-and-aft position of the
saddle. This determines where you sit in relationship to the crank set (where the pedals are
attached). This will help determine how comfortable and efficient you’ll be when riding and
minimises stress to the knee by being in a more neutral position. If you want to check the fore-
and-aft setting at home, you will need a second person and a plumb line (a length of string with a
nut or washer tied on the end will work fine).
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Whilst sitting on the seat, bring your left crank arm around and have your helper stop the
crank when the pedal is at three o’clock or parallel with the floor. For this measurement to be
accurate, your shoes must be correctly positioned on the pedals (the balls of your feet should
be over the pedal axles).
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Holding this position, have your helper place the end of the plumb line on the front of your
leg, at a point just below the bony protrusion beneath the kneecap.
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The plumb line’s weight should hang over your shoe. Check again to ensure that the crank-
arm and pedal are level. By looking at the plumb line the knee should be in alignment with the
centre spindle or axle of the pedal.
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Adjust the saddle to the correct position then tighten the locking pin.
