OK, can anyone help me out here? I ride an old Trek hybrid and adjust the saddle to go back as far as it can because a) it feels like this is how I get most power and b) any further forward and it feels like my knee is too far forward over my pedals - Iinstinctively want my [censored] (ass for the US) to be as far backwards as it can from my pedals. My bike is also a size too big as this feels fine and comfortable for me (I am 5 ft 8in and the bike is a 20 inch.)
Its now time to buy a new bike and whenever I try the correct sized 18 inch bike I feel like my knee is too far forward and I feel th emuscles just below my knee working too much.
My question is then this - does a larger frame size mean your knee is further back in relation to the pedal or is this solely a function of how far back the saddle is adjusted?
In other words should I get the correct size bike (18inch) and adjust the saddle back or will a slightly bigger frame help. I have to say that so far the bigger frames feel a bit better but I'm thinking some other aspect might be at play here.
Sorry this is a bit confused! I know a simple answer is just ride what feels best but I'm also concerned that as I've spent so long (15 years) on an oversized frame maybe I am just used to it and any new bike will feel a bit weird until my body adjusts.
BTW, big respect to my 15 year old steel framed Trek - has taken the worst London can throw at it, 6 miles a day for all that time on only 2 full services, one new wheel, one change of cassette and front rings. I'm hoping they are still as good.