How to Change a Bike Seat

Anyone who's ridden bicycles can attest to the discomfort associated with some bicycle seats. Like humans, bicycle seats come in a variety of sizes, and what may work for one person, may not be right for another. Find yourself a comfortable seat. Changing it, and replacing it with another, is not a daunting task, and should take only minutes to complete.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Bicycle Grease
Set of hex wrenches
Level

Step 1

Remove your old seat. At the base of the seat, where the seat rails meet the seat post, will be one or two hex bolts. Be careful when removing these. The bolts may be holding in place small washers or shims that can be easily lost. There will be a cover plate holding the seat rails flush against the seat post. Once the bolts are removed, this plate will come free, releasing the seat and allowing for removal.

Step 2

Install your new seat. Clean the bolt threads of old grease and grime. Add a dab of fresh grease to the threads. Place the rails of the new seat into the slots on the seat post and press the cover plate against the rails, pinching the seat in place. Screw the greased bolts back in, just enough to secure the seat while allowing for any needed adjustment.

Step 3

Your seat should be level. Also, its fore and aft position should allow you to comfortably reach the handlebars, without feeling overstretched or cramped. To ensure that the seat is level, lay a level across its length. Softly move the seat up or down, depending on the adjustment needed, and then fully tighten the bolts. Sit in the bike. If you feel overstretched, or cramped, loosen the bolts and slide the seat forward, or back, until a satisfying position is obtained.

Tips & Warnings

If you were comfortable with the position on your old seat, measure the distance from the tip of the seat to the bicycle's steering column. Write this number down. When installing your new seat, adjust its fore and aft position to the same distance.

Don't ride too far the first time after installing your new saddle. Riding is the ultimate test for whether your seat needs further adjustment. You don't want to be caught far from home while forced to sit on an uncomfortable seat.

Resources

Bicycle tools

Article Written By Matthew Ferguson

Matthew Ferguson is a writer living in Savannah, Ga. He has been writing for over 10 years and his work has appeared on various online publications. A collection of his short stories was published in spring 2010. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...