Repair guides › Seat & Contact
Set saddle angle and setback
Where you sit. Comfort depends far more on width, angle and fore-aft position than padding. Rails clamp into the seatpost head. Sliding the saddle on its rails changes setback (how far behind the pedals you sit). Width should match your sit bones.
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Tools
- Ball-end hex key set (1.5–10 mm): Park Tool HXS-1.2 Professional L-Shaped Hex Set ($$)
- 1/4" click torque wrench (about 2–17 Nm) + bits: Pro Bike Tool 1/4 inch drive click torque wrench set (2.2–16.9 Nm) ($$)
- Tape measure + 6" steel ruler: Stanley 16 ft tape measure ($)
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Steps
- Start level: lay a straight edge along the saddle; it should be level side to side and front to back (or nose 1–2° down).
- Setback: with cranks horizontal, a string dropped from the front of your forward knee should pass near the pedal axle (KOPS: a starting point, not a rule).
- Loosen the rail clamp, slide in 5 mm steps, re-level, torque.
- Changing setback changes reach to the bars and effective saddle height; re-check height after.
Torque
| Fastener | Torque |
|---|---|
| Single-bolt rail clamp (old horizontal bolt) | 15–20 Nm (check marking) |
| Two-bolt clamp | 5–8 Nm per the post marking (carbon rails often 5–6); use the lower of the post and saddle limits |
Diagram
Side view, chain side toward youThe whole bike
Signs it needs doing
- Numbness (tilt or width wrong)
- Sliding forward (nose too low)
- Torn cover