How to – Set-up the sitting position on a trekking bike
Out into nature, travel longer distances, go on tour – if you are active on your bike, you should also choose an active sitting position. In this guide we will show you how you can adjust the ergonomics of your touring or trekking bike for long distances.
The active upper body position
Once you have adjusted the saddle height correctly (see introduction) (article linking), you can use a few adjustments to move your upper body into a more active position. In this case, active means: Forward, but not stretched. Your back should not be put under too much strain, to ensure that you don't have problems even on longer rides.
What are the benefits of this sitting position?
- The further you bend forward, the more aerodynamic you are on your bike, so the drag decreases
- When your upper body is slightly bent forward, the weight distribution on the bike will improve. The centre of gravity moves downwards, the steering behaviour becomes more agile compared to an upright sitting position.
- Increase the distance between the tip of the saddle and the handlebar
- Angle of the stem
- Spacer or stem height increase
1. Increase the distance between the tip of the saddle and the handlebar
By opening the Allen bolts on the head of the seatpost, you can move the saddle further backwards (note the markings on the seatpost that limit the adjustment range). This will increase the distance to the handlebar and you will sit more stretched on your bike. If that's not enough, you can also buy an offset seatpost that positions your saddle further backwards, increasing the distance to the handlebar. Please note: This also changes your knee angle. When the cranks are horizontal, your knees should be plumb over the balls of your feet.
You can also increase the distance between the saddle and handlebar with a longer stem.
2. Angle of the stem
With a straight stem, your upper body also tilts forward. The flatter the stem angle, the further your back tilts forward. When changing the stem, make sure that the new stem matches the diameter of your handlebar and the diameter of your fork steerer tube. Here, we show you how to change and adjust the stem correctly.
Special case: You can also equip your bike with an adjustable stem (product link). This type of stem has a joint that can be adjusted by means of an Allen bolt. This allows you to approach the optimum sitting position step by step, rather than having to invest in a new stem every time.
3. Spacer
If there are spacers under your stem, you can also adjust the height of your cockpit by placing the spacers over the stem. If your fork steerer tube is flush with the stem, you cannot use spacers to adjust your position. However, in the CONTEC assortment you will find a fork steerer tube extension which will help you solve this problem). If you are sure that you can handle the new, more active sitting position, you can have the protruding fork steerer tube cut off (only necessary from a visual and not from a functional point of view). Find a CONTEC specialist dealer.
Comfort for the hands
The farther you sit forward, the more weight you put on your hands. That's why you need to make it more comfortable. Ergonomic grips promise relief for the hands. They are wider than normal grips, which improves pressure distribution. Besides that they absorb shocks and vibrations. Especially on longer rides you prevent your hands from becoming numb. When installing bar ends, you can add another grip option to your cockpit. Using different grip positions during the ride also relieves your hands. You can find a selection of different grips here.
Adjust the sitting position
Different bikes, different sitting positions. If you have a city bike or a more sporty road bike, we will also give you tips on how to adjust the sitting position.