For a better bike ride, adjust your seat

Consumer Reports News: July 01, 2010 03:06 PM

They say that once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget. This might be true, but it doesn't mean you can't learn a few new tricks along the way.

Fitting a bike is critical for comfort and to reduce the chance of injuring yourself. A pet peeve of mine is improper seat adjustment. I see it all the time, and it's simple to correct. Most people ride with their seats adjusted too low. That forces their knees to come up too high, and they don't get enough leg extension. Such bad form also increases the risk of getting hurt. If the seat is too high, your hips will rock back and forth to compensate. This could cause strain or fatigue.

Changing the seat height takes a couple of minutes at most. Some bikes have a quick-release lever to loosen the seat post so you can raise or lower it. Others require you to loosen and tighten a nut, so you'll need a wrench. You'll know your seat is at the right height if there's only a slight bend in your knee when your foot is on the pedal at its lowest point to the ground (that is, the bottom of the pedaling stroke).

Though it might take some getting used to, a properly adjusted seat is worth the effort. It will extend your pedaling stroke, giving you extra power.

—Rich Handel, project leader and guest blogger, Consumer Reports

Check out our Ratings of fitness and comfort bikes (for subscribers) and see our six recommended models.