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Probably a numpty question but how does seat angle influence the way a frame rides and is this a subtle thing ie does 1 degree change make a massive difference or not? Head angle I think I understand (slacker angle = less sensitive steering and better downhill?) but seat angle..??
It's more about position and comfort than handling.
eg: steeper = easier climbing, less wheelying, easier to get out of saddle.
IME just a few degrees makes a huge change in the angle of your pelvis and back - Takes me a while to get my seat in the right position after changing it etc 🙂
While I barely notice it in terms of comfort...
1 degree on the SA = about 10mm fore/aft on the seat rail, so it can be adjusted with inline or layback posts as well as saddle position. steeper can aid climbing and spinning a gear at the expense of comfort for some, more laid-back can help push bigger gears.
so does that mean the frame seat tube angle can be affected by the angle of your seat itself?
Funny you ask. i recently adjusted the nose of my saddle slightly upwards, only a degree or so, and i find it has given a much better feeling of support-this is using an SDG bel air.
However i would not dream of suggesting this is the correct and only way. Saddle setting, much like underpants, are a personal choice.
infidel - Member
so does that mean the frame seat tube angle can be affected by the angle of your seat itself?
The angle is fixed. You can alter the "effective" seat angle by moving the saddle fore and aft.
The angle of the saddle affects comfort but not the above.
OK - so how does the seat post tube angle affect the way the bike feels and again are small differences in seat post tube angle significant?
(possibly the question I should have asked in the first instance!)
they are too steep for me these days, l like to be well behind the bb to push bigger gears, as said above.
Makes little difference when you are out f the saddle though. The new 'reach and stack' measurements ignore it completely.
Also, bear in mind, for a given top tube length, slackening the seat tube will effectively pull the head tube backwards. For example, my Chromag has a 71 degree seat angle and a 23.5" top tube, but out of the saddle the reach is still pretty short.
Thanks!!!