Should my seat be that far forward?

Quoted message said:

I'm a 39 yr. old male recreational cyclist who averages nearly 200
mile/week. I've experimented extensively (obsessively?) with my fit
over the years. It turns out that I'm the fastest with the saddle tip
a mere 3 cm behind BB, despite my very lengthy 91 cm inseam.
Everything I've read says taller people should have their seats
further rearward. I've tried riding in a more "normal" position --
knee near or behind BB -- for several years, including with the seat
several cm lower than I have it now (81 cm, BB-center of seat). (I do
understand how fore-aft affects seat height and vice-versa.) But I
can still climb a 10% grade at least 2 mph faster in this "extreme
forward" position . . . and I don't just mean "sprinters climbs,"
either. (I've often read how a forward position is "not efficient"
for climbing.) And, yes, I did adjust the seat-bar distance when
moving the seat back. (I now know how reach can also dramatically
affect power output.) Any idea on why the "fast-forward" position is
fastest for me? Could it be related to my job as a mailman, with all
the standing and walking it entails? (Is that the reason tri-athletes
use the forward position, because they also run?) Or, am I not doing
something correctly?

"Knee near or behind BB" is NOT normal -- you must have meant pedal spindle.

Anyway, if you've found what works for you -- not only fastest but much more
importantly (for a self-described recreational cyclist) comfort and absence
of "issues" like pain, numbness, etc. -- then why are you worried about fit?

Sounds like it's been working, yet you keep trying to fix it.

Bill "10 cents please" S.

Bill Sornson said:

Quoted message said:

I'm a 39 yr. old male recreational cyclist who averages nearly 200
mile/week. I've experimented extensively (obsessively?) with my fit
over the years. It turns out that I'm the fastest with the saddle tip
a mere 3 cm behind BB, despite my very lengthy 91 cm inseam.
Everything I've read says taller people should have their seats
further rearward. I've tried riding in a more "normal" position --
knee near or behind BB -- for several years, including with the seat
several cm lower than I have it now (81 cm, BB-center of seat). (I do
understand how fore-aft affects seat height and vice-versa.) But I
can still climb a 10% grade at least 2 mph faster in this "extreme
forward" position . . . and I don't just mean "sprinters climbs,"
either. (I've often read how a forward position is "not efficient"
for climbing.) And, yes, I did adjust the seat-bar distance when
moving the seat back. (I now know how reach can also dramatically
affect power output.) Any idea on why the "fast-forward" position is
fastest for me? Could it be related to my job as a mailman, with all
the standing and walking it entails? (Is that the reason tri-athletes
use the forward position, because they also run?) Or, am I not doing
something correctly?

"Knee near or behind BB" is NOT normal -- you must have meant pedal spindle.

DUH!!!!! Yeah, thats what I meant!

Quoted message said:

I'm a 39 yr. old male recreational cyclist who averages nearly 200
mile/week. I've experimented extensively (obsessively?) with my fit
over the years. It turns out that I'm the fastest with the saddle tip
a mere 3 cm behind BB, despite my very lengthy 91 cm inseam.
Everything I've read says taller people should have their seats
further rearward. I've tried riding in a more "normal" position --
knee near or behind BB -- for several years, including with the seat
several cm lower than I have it now (81 cm, BB-center of seat). (I do
understand how fore-aft affects seat height and vice-versa.) But I
can still climb a 10% grade at least 2 mph faster in this "extreme
forward" position . . . and I don't just mean "sprinters climbs,"
either. (I've often read how a forward position is "not efficient"
for climbing.) And, yes, I did adjust the seat-bar distance when
moving the seat back. (I now know how reach can also dramatically
affect power output.) Any idea on why the "fast-forward" position is
fastest for me? Could it be related to my job as a mailman, with all
the standing and walking it entails? (Is that the reason tri-athletes
use the forward position, because they also run?) Or, am I not doing
something correctly?

Alexi Griewal, the Olympic medal winner, ran his seat high and very
far forward. He won the Mt. Evans hill climb one year, so it must have
worked for him.

Smokey

Quoted message said:

Any idea on why the "fast-forward" position is
fastest for me?

how would anyone know without knowing your physiology and the
dimensions of the bike? sounds to me like your bike is not sized
correctly or some part of your body is not of "normal"
proportions.