The great popularity of cycling has created an incredible number of bike models. And still, many prefer to build a bike on their own from parts purchased on the Internet or in another way. Everyone has different motives: someone wants to get an exclusive model, and someone selects the appropriate characteristics for themselves. But the problems of such "home-made" are the same: how to assemble a bicycle and how to set it up. We will try to help in solving one of them and tell you how to properly configure the bike.
A modern bike is a fairly complex device with many adjustable parts. And like any mechanism with a large number of components, it requires settings. And it doesn’t matter if the bike was assembled on its own or at the factory - the bike must be set up. Otherwise, you simply will not be able to use it, since it will either fail, or riding on it will bring only torment.
Bike setup
The cyclist's body should be in the most convenient, so to speak, “natural” position so that its energy is applied only to the pedals, and not be spent on compensating for the unnatural position. This is achieved by setting the saddle and steering wheel.
Tincture saddles
Changing the position of the saddle is possible with bolts. The user manual describes how to configure the bike with their help, and we will not dwell on these technical points. Moreover, they differ on different bicycles. It will be about how to correctly set the saddle position.
Seat angle
We install the saddle in a position close to horizontal, and sit on it. We listen to the sensations and change the angle of the saddle so that it is as comfortable to sit on it. As a general rule, the deviation of the saddle from the horizontal line should not exceed three degrees.
Seat height
To correctly adjust the height, you need to wear the shoes in which you plan to ride. Then set the saddle to an arbitrary height, approximately corresponding to growth. We sit on the bike and check to see if the foot of the pedal’s outstretched foot is fully in the lower position. If the foot does not fit snugly or you need effort to push, reduce the height of the saddle. If, on the contrary, the elongated leg is bent at the knee, then increase the height so that the leg is fully straightened and its foot rests on the pedal. Height adjustment has its own design limitations and you need to ensure that the seatpost is not stuck out above the limit line. If the bike setup is not suitable for you, then you need to choose a different bike, more suitable for your height. For off-road riding, the saddle is set slightly lower.
Saddle position
Modern bicycles have adjustable back and forth saddles. The correct position in this case is determined by the fact that the “tubercle” is on the same vertical line under the knee and the axis of the pedals is at a time when the pedals are in the three o'clock position.
Steering wheel
Setting the steering wheel is simple, and the cyclist’s body is the best gauge for its correct position. If the lower back hurts after riding, then the steering wheel is too high. If every bump is felt, then too low.