Saddle Set-Up and Adjustments
Saddle Set-Up and Adjustments for your Spiderflex REC
Saddle Set-up and adjustments for The Spiderflex Recreational saddle (REC), are designed to distribute the rider's weight properly and relieve pressure points.
Most riders will experience an adjustment period in switching from a conventional saddle to a hornless saddle, and in many cases, it is just a matter of getting more familiar with the ergonomic design of the Spiderflex REC saddle and getting some miles on it.
Each rider's saddle set-up is different, and the key is to find your balance between the saddle and the bars, now that the horn is removed.
With the horn removed, the ergonomic design of the Spiderflex REC allows the rider to distribute their weight more evenly, and reduce the pressure on the ischial tuberosities, or what is more commonly referred to in the cyclist world as the "sit-bones".
There are three adjustments to find the proper balance between the saddle and the handlebars.
Saddle height
Find your proper saddle height. Your leg should be 90 to 95% extended at the bottom of your downstroke.
Fore and aft position
Position the saddle to where your arms are in a natural and comfortable position on the bars. The closer you move the saddle forward, you transfer more of your upper body weight to the saddle, and off the bars.
Tilt adjustment
Tilt adjustment for your Spiderflex REC saddle is dependent on the type of riding you do. These tips are a guideline for your initial adjustment of the REC saddle. Fine tuning of the tilt adjustment will depend on your own individual style of riding.
Saddle Tilt Adjustment Specs
Cruiser Bikes & Hybrid Bikes
The majority of recreational riders, commuters, & bike path riders prefer an upright riding position. Initial adjustment for this type of riding is to raise the front of the base to the point where the shock is straight up and down, giving the seat area a flatter stance.
Road Bikes & Mountain Bikes
Road and mountain bike riders tend to transfer more of their body weight on to the handlebars while riding. Initial adjustment for this type of riding is to have the base parallel with the ground, giving the saddle a slight forward angle.
Road Bike Saddle Set-Up
90% of our sales are to recreational riders, who are in a more upright riding position. That being said, we have customers using the Spiderflex REC saddle that are competing in Cat.4 and Cat.5 road racing events, so there is no question that a rider can adapt to a hornless saddle, and compete at that level.
This saddle is also heavy for road racers (680 grams). When we do sell to road racers, it is usually because of injury, and they are looking for a saddle that will totally relieve the groin pressure when they are riding. It's a matter of making the proper adjustments to suit your riding style on a road bike frame, and commiting to those adjustments, in order to get the health benefits a hornless saddle provides.
Each rider's set-up is different, and the key is to find your balance between the seat and the bars, now that the horn is removed. This adjustment period seems to take longer on a road bike frame because of the bars being lower than the seat height. Recreational riders, who are in a more upright riding position, seem to adapt to a hornless saddle much easier because of the higher handlebar set-up.
When switching over to a hornless saddle on a road bike frame, the higher you can get the handlebar height, the better. The higher handlebar height transfers your upper body weight back to the saddle, and off the bars. Now that your weight is transferred more to the saddle, the ergonomic design of the Spiderflex displaces your weight more evenly, while taking the pressure off of the perineum area.
Seat Post Clamps
The Spiderflex REC has heavy duty 8mm rails, compared to just 7mm rails on most seats, but no modifications are needed. The seperation distance between the rails (center to center) is 43mm, and is standard width for seat post clamps.
The Spiderflex saddle attaches to your existing seat post clamp, and will fit the newer style "micro-adjustable" post clamp, or the older style "U" clamp. The clamp on your seat post should look simular to one of these clamp styles in order to fit it on.
Micro-Adjustable Clamp
U-Clamp
** When installing a saddle on to a U clamp post system, always remove the clamp parts and set them down in the order they were removed. This insures the correct order for re-assembly. Tighten securely after assembly. **
** If your existing seat post has the older style "U" clamp, and you decide to up-grade to a "micro-adjustable" post, (these posts are easier to install and make adjustments on a saddle) your existing seat post will have a size # stamped on it. This # will give you the proper replacement size. The newer "micro-adjustable"posts are carried by all the bike shops. **
Can't move your saddle back far enough to get more distance between the saddle and the bars?
We do not sell seat posts, or accessories, but if you do a Google search for "set back seat posts" you will find retail suppliers for these specialized post systems.