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 Selle San Marco Regale Carbon FX Saddle Cycling Triathlon Mountain Bike Saddle $214.99 Time Remaining: 9d 22h 31m Buy It Now for only: $214.99 |
 SELLE ITALIA 2011 MOUNTAINBIKE SLR SADDLE TROY LEE $150.00 Time Remaining: 8d 15h 55m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
 Mountainbike or Road Bicycle Carbon Saddle of m bikeparts NEW $152.58 Time Remaining: 6d 11h 33m Buy It Now for only: $152.58 |
 NEW 2012 Fizik Tundra 2 Carbon Mountain Bike Saddle $149.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 14m Buy It Now for only: $169.99 |
 SELLE ITALIA 2011 MOUNTAINBIKE SLR XC SADDLE BLACK $151.08 Time Remaining: 6d 11h 37m Buy It Now for only: $151.08 |
 NEW Prologo Nago EVO TS Pro Ti Solid Rails Road Mountain Bike Saddle Seat 197g $149.99 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 56m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 NEW Prologo Scratch Pro TS Ti Rails Road Mountain Bike Saddle Seat Red 225g $149.99 Time Remaining: 7d 43m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 NEW Prologo Scratch Pro TS Ti Rails Road Mountain Bike Saddle Seat White 225g $149.99 Time Remaining: 7d 44m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 SELLE ITALIA 2011 MOUNTAINBIKE SLR SADDLE TROY LEE $143.09 Time Remaining: 6d 12h 3m Buy It Now for only: $143.09 |
 New 2011 Cinelli Prologo Saddle Black Fixie Road Mountain Bike MASH VIGORELLI $139.99 Time Remaining: 11d 23h 47m Buy It Now for only: $139.99 |
 Brooks B17 Pre Aged Road MTB Mountain Bike Cycle Seat Saddle Dark Tan $118.47 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 33m Buy It Now for only: $118.47 |
 Brooks B67 Mens Pre Aged Road MTB Mountain Bike Cycle Seat Saddle DarkTan $118.47 Time Remaining: 24d 15h 10m Buy It Now for only: $118.47 |
 Brooks B17 Standard Road MTB Mountain Bike Cycle Seat Saddle $118.47 Time Remaining: 29d 43m Buy It Now for only: $118.47 |
 NEW Prologo Nago EVO X10 TS Pro Ti Solid Rails Mountain Bike Saddle Seat 200g $129.99 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 59m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 New 2011 Cinelli Prologo Saddle Black Fixie Road Mountain Bike MASH VIGORELLI $129.99 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 53m |
 WTB Rocket V SLT Mountain Bike MTB Saddle Ti Titanium Rails Black Silver $119.95 Time Remaining: 6d 4h 45m Buy It Now for only: $119.95 |
 Specialized Alias 143 Mountain Bike Saddle 143mm 270mm Ti Rails Body Geometry $125.00 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 8m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 GT Bicycles Selle San Marco Integra Mountain Bike MTB Seat Saddle 29er $110.00 Time Remaining: 23d 43m Buy It Now for only: $110.00 |
 NEW SELLE ITALIA MOUNTAINBIKE TRAIL BIKE SL XC ANATOMIC FLOW SADDLE WHITE $91.55 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 8m Buy It Now for only: $91.55 |
 WTB ROCKET V TEAM MTB MOUNTAIN BIKE SADDLE BLACK $112.95 Time Remaining: 20d 21h 20m Buy It Now for only: $112.95 |
 108g SQ1 selle MEGA merek Carbon Road Mountain Bike Saddle $119.00 Time Remaining: 28d 3h 14m Buy It Now for only: $119.00 |
 NEW 2012 Fizik Tundra 2 Kium Mountain Bike Saddle $109.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 25m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 110g SQ1 Full Carbon Road Mountain Bike Saddle selle $110.00 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 27m Buy It Now for only: $110.00 |
 ISM ADAMO PEAK MOUNTAIN BIKE SADDLEERGO MOUNTAIN BIKE SADDLE NEW $104.95 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 30m Buy It Now for only: $104.95 |
 JRFOTO Carbon Fiber Mountain Bike Seat Saddle Seat Black + Grey 11 total weigh $100.79 Time Remaining: 27d 19h 40m Buy It Now for only: $100.79 |
 NEW Prologo Nago EVO Pro Ti 14 Rails Road XC Mountain Bike Saddle Seat Wht Red $99.99 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 57m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 PROLOGO SCRATCH PRO T 20 ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE SADDLE SEAT $89.00 Time Remaining: 5d 23h 23m |
 110g selle Merek SPG Full Carbon mountain mtb Road Bike bicycle Saddle $95.00 Time Remaining: 8d 16h 56m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 123g White Merek Full Carbon mountain mtb road time trail bike Saddle seat SPW $95.00 Time Remaining: 8d 16h 57m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 121g White SPW Merek Full Carbon Bicycle mountain bike Saddle seat $95.00 Time Remaining: 8d 16h 58m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 SELLE ITALIA SLR Mountain Bike Saddle $80.00 Time Remaining: 6d 23h 50m |
 Prologo Pro Scratch Ti Red white Road mountain Bike seat Titanium Saddle NEW $89.99 Time Remaining: 7d 4h 7m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
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 Prologo Pro Choice V Max Ti Titanium Brown Tan Road mountain Bike seat Saddle $89.99 Time Remaining: 13d 19h 6m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Selle Italia SLR XC Mountain Bike Saddle 2011 2nd $89.99 Time Remaining: 17d 18h 9m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 New road bike saddle mountain bicycle carbon saddle $89.99 Time Remaining: 20d 12h 6m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Prologo Vertigo Titanium Ti Tan Brown Gray White road mountain Bike seat Saddle $89.99 Time Remaining: 27d 54m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Prologo Vertigo MAX Titanium Ti Tan Gray white Mountain Bike seat Saddle road $89.99 Time Remaining: 27d 56m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Selle Italia SL XC Saddle Black Fixie Road Mountain Bike $89.99 Time Remaining: 27d 22h 36m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Tioga Spyder Road Mtb Bike Mountain Saddle Seats Black $79.95 Time Remaining: 16d 9h 25m Buy It Now for only: $79.95 |
 In Box Tioga Spyder Road Mtb Bike Mountain Saddle Seats Black $79.90 Time Remaining: 20d 3h 31m Buy It Now for only: $79.90 |
 In Box Tioga Spyder Road Mtb Bike Mountain Saddle Seats White $79.90 Time Remaining: 20d 3h 31m Buy It Now for only: $79.90 |
 SELLE ITALIA XO GENUINE GEL CYCLING MOUNTAINBIKE ROAD SADDLE BLACK $47.38 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 32m Buy It Now for only: $47.38 |
 BBB BSD63 Razer Saddle Road Mountain Bike Saddle NEW $66.27 Time Remaining: 17d 9h 33m Buy It Now for only: $66.27 |
 Prologo Scratch Pro T 20 Mountain Bike Saddle NEW $75.00 Time Remaining: 22d 18h 15m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 WTB LASER Titanium Mountain Road Bike Saddle Seat $54.44 Time Remaining: 9d 3h 53m Buy It Now for only: $54.44 |
 WTB Silverado Thinline Mountain Bike Saddle 135mm 280mm $69.00 Time Remaining: 10d 17h 17m Buy It Now for only: $69.00 |
 White Prologo Nago EVO Pro Ti Solid Rails Road Mountain Bike Saddle Seat 2012 $49.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 21h 11m |
 2012 Prologo Nago EVO Pro Ti Solid Rails Road Mountain Bike Saddle Seat $49.95 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 15m |
 WTB Rocket V Race Black MTB Mountain Bike Saddle Seat NEW $56.95 Time Remaining: 11d 16h 46m Buy It Now for only: $56.95 |
 NISENE Sport Wing Flex Cycling Mountain Bike Seat Saddle 11 $49.99 Time Remaining: 15d 6h 19m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 MARWI SSR Pro Mountain MTB Bike GEL Leather Ti Titanium Rails Saddle Seat $62.09 Time Remaining: 13h 38m Buy It Now for only: $62.09 |
 Specialized Body Geometry Gel Mountain Bicycle Bike Saddle Seat Red $49.99 (24 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 4h 37m |
 Prologo Pro Kappa White road mountain Bike seat Saddle $59.99 Time Remaining: 7d 4h 7m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 Selle Italia Mountain Bike Saddle $59.00 Time Remaining: 14d 14h 17m Buy It Now for only: $59.00 |
 WTB Rocket V Saddle Mountain Bike Saddle Titanium Rails Ti $59.00 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 32m Buy It Now for only: $59.00 |
 DA BOMB Mag BMX MTB Bike Mountain Bicycle Pivotal Saddle w Seat Post $44.99 Time Remaining: 20d 12h 47m Buy It Now for only: $44.99 |
 Fizik Arione Saddle 130mm Road Mountain Bike Seat Manganese Cyclocross $46.00 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 55m |
 Selle San Marco Era Lux bike seat blue cycling saddle mountain bike road bike $45.00 Time Remaining: 26d 23h 21m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 Fizik Aliante Carbon Saddle 140mm Road Mountain Bike Race Seat White Bicycle $45.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 14m |
 DA BOMB KURU Mountain BMX Bike Saddle Bicycle Seat $53.00 Time Remaining: 8d 4h 35m Buy It Now for only: $53.00 |
 FIZIK FREEK DH Dirt Jump FreeRIDE ATB MTB Mountain Bike Saddle $52.99 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 44m Buy It Now for only: $52.99 |
 Selle Italia bike saddle cycling road bike mountain bike nos $42.00 Time Remaining: 26d 23h 12m Buy It Now for only: $42.00 |
 Bontrager Team Issue Carbon Saddle 130mm Pro Road Mountain Bike MTB Race Seat $41.00 (20 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 2h 27m |
 New OEM Cannondale SL2 Red White Mountain Bike Seat Saddle $49.99 Time Remaining: 7d 19h 24m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 New Cannondale Flash Red Black Mountain Bike Seat Saddle $49.99 Time Remaining: 8d 13h 40m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Cannondale All Mountain Bike Saddle CrMo Rails Black $40.93 Time Remaining: 23d 56m Buy It Now for only: $40.93 |
 Cannondale All Mountain Bike Saddle CrMo Rails $40.93 Time Remaining: 24d 21m Buy It Now for only: $40.93 |
 Gel Comfort Sprung Mountain MTB bike Bicycle Saddle $33.16 Time Remaining: 21d 16h 20m Buy It Now for only: $33.16 |
 SDG BEL AIR MOUNTAIN CYCLE Mtb Seat Saddle Mountain Bike Titanium Alloy NEW $39.97 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 38m |
 Cannondale All Mountain Bike Saddle Seat Black + Gray 1A602 GRY $40.00 Time Remaining: 27d 1h 12m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 Serfas Vistoso Seat Saddle for Mountain or Road Bike in White $42.99 Time Remaining: 24d 16h 53m Buy It Now for only: $42.99 |
 SDG BEL AIR MOUNTAIN CYCLE Mtb Seat Saddle Mountain Bike Titanium Alloy NEW $46.97 Time Remaining: 27d 7m Buy It Now for only: $46.97 |
 MARIN Cycling Mountain Bike Seat Saddle Medium $32.99 Time Remaining: 15d 4h 19m Buy It Now for only: $32.99 |
 MARIN City Series Cycling Mountain Bike Seat Saddle 11 $32.99 Time Remaining: 27d 5h 9m Buy It Now for only: $32.99 |
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I was discussing frame geometry with a prominent coach last week and his perspective on frame geometry struck a nerve with me so I wanted to share this topic with you.
I had been riding "stock" frame geometry for decades and the possibilities created by the combination of an unlimited fitting system and true custom geometry did not exist for me, and thus for you, until fairly recently. The time honored principles of Knee Over Pedal Spindle, (KOPS), the Lemond method, standover height, saddle height equal to hip height when standing next to the bike and scads of other techniques were developed to help people choose a bike size that would work for them.
We need to look at a bit of history because bikes were made quite differently in the 1970's and before than they are today. The '70's were a time where road bikes had a much different geometry, with seat angles in the 71-72 degree range. Additionally these bikes were built in half sizes and thus had as many as 12 sizes for one model! Today's bikes have between 3 and 5 sizes so more people are forced to "fit" a bike that will be less than perfect.
The archetypal road bike in the 70's was the Raleigh Team Professional, which was arguably one of the best and most comfortable racing bikes ever made. At this time there were two schools of racing as well, a European style which was centered on longer rides and races including mountains. An American style developed as well focusing on Criterium racing; shorter closed course races with lots of turns and sprints. The American bicycle manufacturers started producing bikes with 73-74 degree seat angles and much less saddle setback with the logic that our races were shorter and one didn't need the comfort for a 125 mile race if we were racing for 50 miles.
This style of racing bike geometry became popular as Americans liked the more aggressive position and the young racers working in bike shops could sell these bikes. We now are in a time when most nice bikes are still designed for young professional racers, but are purchased by successful people over 40. I have seen my position change on the bike since I was able to use my setup bike to experiment. I found that the bars really needed to be higher and the saddle needed to be further aft to get the balance points right.
I also found that as I got older (and had some injuries on the way) that my tolerance for the more aggressive geometry was no longer possible. People who came into my studio tended to be folks who had no success getting fitted in other bicycle stores so I had more challenging cases on a day to day basis. I saw more and more people who could not get comfortable on their stock bikes and even had to abandon the respected WobbleNaught fitting system because it tied the individual to an existing bike.
The setup bike began to show me that when one truly was in balance that many good things started happening. First, saddle problems diminished and disappeared completely for most people. Second, low back pain went away. Third, hand numbness was diminished. Additionally people's ability to ride greater distances improved and incredibly, their power and efficiency improved so they were faster. There was only one problem. The positions that I discovered turned out to be very close to the riding position people had on the old Raleigh Team Pro! It seems that what is old is new again.
It is a long uphill battle to convince production frame manufacturers to build bikes that "grown ups" can ride, but fortunately a handful of expert custom frame manufacturers exists now. I have great success in designing a custom frame based on real individual setup data and can work with these experts to create a frame that has predictable ride characteristics and will be the servant of the rider, not the other way around.
I still get a few people who are the right size for a stock frame but have found that at this level, almost everyone seems to want a well designed custom bike. People seem astonished when they learn that bike riding can be comfortable and much more enjoyable than before. The process is simple; get balanced on the bike first and put the handlebars in the right place second. The geometry of the bike can be a help or a hindrance to a rider and thankfully there are solutions that will allow anyone to be comfortable on a bike.
KGS Bikes is known around the world as the premiere bicycle fitting studio and boutique. Kevin Saunders, President, has over 25 years experience in bicycle fitting and high-end bicycles. In addition to fitting services, KGS Bikes sells bicycles from Parlee, Serotta, Zinn, Co-Motion and Guru. Visit http://www.kgsbikes.com for more information.