SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/bike-saddle-height-bend

Sitting on the saddle with one pedal all the way down, how should your leg look?

A slight bend in your knee.

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  1. A slight bend in your knee ✔
  2. Fully straight and locked
  3. Knee bent up near your chest

Why: With the pedal at the bottom, your knee should still bend a little. That is a quick test that the bike and saddle fit you.

Huh, didn't know that: Park Tool says a saddle that is too high tends to pull the tendons at the back of the knee.

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Why did the saddle get a promotion? It knew how to support the ride.
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References

Answer: A slight bend in your knee. With the pedal at the bottom, your knee should still bend a little. That is a quick test that the bike and saddle fit you.

  1. League of American Bicyclists: Fitting and Adjusting Your Bike bikeleague.org/videos/fitting-and-adjusting-your-bike
    When you’re sitting on the bike and one pedal is pushed all the way down, there should be a slight bend in your knee.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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