Improved handling with seat in lower position

[Don2143]

I’m a new owner of a 2013 S10, I’ve put about 2000 miles on the bike. I’m 6’4” so I have had my seat in the high position. Yesterday I decided to put my seat in the lower position and went riding. I noticed the bike is much more snappy, and handles better in turns. Is this my imagination? Maybe because of a lower center of gravity? I’m not sure how my knees will hold up with the seat low. I’m riding to Barbers museum in Birmingham this weekend. This will be my first long ride, I’m anxious to see how the ergonomics of the bike will do for me. I know there is a seat purchase Coming in the near future. Thanks y’all have a good day!

 

[lund]

I had mine in the lower position for the first 15,000 or so km and my legs would cramp up after a couple of hours in the saddle. Went to the higher position and haven't had that problem since, its been 2 full seasons now in the high position, i'm 6ft with a 34" inseam.
At first I thought it effected the handling but I think it was more in my imagination because I had to get use to the slightly higher position. I won't go back to the lower position.

 

[Don2143]

I’m sure I’ll sort it out this weekend, I plan to ride in the low position on the way to Birmingham, then in high on the way home. This should give me a good idea which position the seat should be in.

 

[Boris]

I’m a new owner of a 2013 S10, I’ve put about 2000 miles on the bike. I’m 6’4” so I have had my seat in the high position. Yesterday I decided to put my seat in the lower position and went riding. I noticed the bike is much more snappy, and handles better in turns. Is this my imagination? Maybe because of a lower center of gravity? I’m not sure how my knees will hold up with the seat low. I’m riding to Barbers museum in Birmingham this weekend. This will be my first long ride, I’m anxious to see how the ergonomics of the bike will do for me. I know there is a seat purchase Coming in the near future. Thanks y’all have a good day!

I completely agree with you. I did the level seat mod and put my seat in the high position. It all felt a bit odd after that, like something was amiss with tyre pressures or something. Went back to low position and no seat mod and all was well again, immediately!

Odd, but true!

 

[Sierra1]

I’m sure I’ll sort it out this weekend, I plan to ride in the low position on the way to Birmingham, then in high on the way home. This should give me a good idea which position the seat should be in.

I wouldn't think that the small amount of cg lowering would cause that much of a difference. I think it more likely that you're just getting used to the bike, and her weight. I have a long torso, and weigh 300lbs, and think she handles like a dream.

 

[Eville Rich]

I've played around with the low vs high seat position and found a similar handling feeling. I think a lot of it has to with being in a bit more of a sport position and having your knees a tad higher. May also depend on whether you have bar risers or not. The lower seat position may work better without bar risers. Or it may be an illusion created by the position, I don't know. In the end, I've settled on the flat seat mod in the high position as the most comfortable. I'm not sure how a 6 foot 4 giant would be comfortable for long in the low seat position for longer trips. I'm just a tad over 6 feet and don't care for it much. But everyone is built differently. Do what works for you.

Eville Rich
2016 S10

 

[Cycledude]

The flat seat mod did about nothing positive or negative for me