One of the first things that many new mountain bike owners swap out is the saddle. Just as people prefer the fit of one pair of shoes over another, the definition of the perfect saddle varies greatly between riders. Some saddles are made specifically for a woman's anatomy and some are made for a for a man's. No saddle can make up for an ill-fitting bike, but the wrong saddle can quickly bring pain to any rider. Proper installation and adjustments also make a difference. Though most shops will swap out a saddle, installing and setting up a new mountain bike saddle is a relatively simple task.
Step 1
Prop your bike up against a sturdy wall or clamp it in a bike stand. Locate the clamp bolt that is on the top of your seat post, just under the saddle. This may be one or two bolts that are used to clamp the seat post to the seat rails.
Step 2
Loosen each bolt with an Allen wrench or hex key. Turn the tool counter clockwise to release the bolt. If the bolt has not been loosened in a long time, it may be slightly rusted and will resist turning. Don't be afraid to apply pressure until it releases.
Step 3
Stop loosening it when the nut nears the end of the bolt thread and the clamp is open enough to release the saddle. Removing the bolt and nut completely increases the chances of dropping or losing one of the parts.
Step 4
Remove the saddle. Wiggle it around on the rails to release it or rotate the clamp until the rails are free.
Step 5
Set the new saddle on the seat post and adjust the clamp over the rails. Examine the position of the saddle, especially how far forward or back it is in relation to your handlebars. You want to try to get it as close to the position of your old saddle as possible so as not to throw off the fit of your bike.
Step 6
Tighten the bolts on the seat post with the Allen wrench or hex wrench that you used previously and by turning the bolt clock wise. Do not over tighten the bolts. Just tighten them enough so that the saddle does not move and so that the rails are secure.
Step 7
Place a level on the saddle, extending from the nose to the rear. One of the keys to a comfortable saddle is ensuring that it is level. As you ride the bike and break in the new saddle, feel free to make small adjustments to fit your body geometry. To make adjustments, loosen the bolt, adjust the position and then tighten it again.
Things You'll Need
- Bike stand or sturdy wall
- Allen or hex wrench
- Level
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