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Hi all, first post here, but have always valued the advice from these pages.
I bought my 4 year old a little Ridgeback for Christmas, sized as per much internet advice. Anyway, with saddle at it's lowest she still cannot touch the ground, and this is her first peddle bike so basically impossible to learn on, bummer!
I have been trying to think of solutions, because even with the seatpost at the bottom the top of the saddle is easily 3 inches above the top tube. The bracket that connects the seatpost to the rails of the seat is large, and the seat itself is very tall. I Was wondering if a 'pivotal' seat post and a much flatter saddle would make enough difference? Because She can stand over the frame with no saddle on.
Any other cunning plans or seatpost types anyone knows of?
Was also thinking a rubbish one piece saddle+seatpost would have less gubbins elevating it?
All thoughts appreciated
Tom
Pic please. 3" is a lot and I'd expect you could get it down significantly depending on clamp and saddle.
As she doesn't weigh much and will grow quickly, you could remove the seatpost and tape some foam or pipe lagging to the top tube.
By the time she's pedaling, you'll be able to pop the post back in.
Or, what size are the tyres? Could they be swapped for smaller ones,
Similar to Onza dog, but how about taking the seat post out and cable tieing the saddle directly to the top tube?
A pivitol should also save quite abit of height, just need to check seat post sizes available.
Isla's Rothan saddle is integrated with seatpost. Might help? But pics would be useful.
https://www.islabikes.co.uk/products/rothan-240mm-extra-long-saddle-seatpost
Is the seatpost bottoming out? Saw 3" off the bottom?
Ok, thanks for thoughts, i think this should show some pictures.
The squares on the mat are 1cm.
As you can see the distance from the top of the saddle to the frame is huge
Nope, it's mainly the fault of the Seatpost to seat bracket
Is there room under the saddle to flip the clamp mechanism?
Or, change the saddle, that one is really deep.
Ah yes, a clever idea, there is. It suddenly reminded me of fiddling with adult saddles in the past and having to tightly slide spanners up inside...
This is a good, and free, first step, might get a fair bit over an inch...
Thank you
You may be able to trim a little off the seat tube too. Might buy you another 8-10mm drop.
Not sure whether your limiting factor is seat tube length or height of saddle from rails to top, but I think I borrowed saddle and post from a balance bike to solve this problem once. On the plus side, they grow so quickly you might find this issue is forgotten in no time.
Another great idea, if she lets me near her beloved balance bike with some tools!
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/reducing-standover-height-on-childs-bike/
I asked the same question a while ago.. I have the hoy saddle if you want to give it a try?
As above, I used a seat post from a Rothan (balance bike) on a Cnoc 14 (pedal bike) which gave a nice bit more clearance.
Turning the clamp was standard practice.
Surely the supplying shop would have noted this while getting the size for Santa and then done it during the PDI......
I had a great saddle on my boys bike- can’t find on CR anymore, but it’s this one, finishing soon:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F133612126147
Thanks all, truly helpful.
Ebay bmx saddle n post then a shim to fit should drop it over 2" easily.
Flip the bracket and remove the saddle covering and foam so you just have the hard plastic seat.