Recently bought a Scott Foil and I'm starting the build. It's a size small and has a zero setback seat post. To replicate my position on my previous road bikes I need a 25mm setback seat post. As replacement seatposts with 25mm setback don't seem to be available I have a bike fit question.

With the zero setback post my saddle is as far back as it can go, and is forwards of the range marked on the saddle rail, easily by 25mm. If i push the saddle forwards 2cm this is within the centre of the rails and if I now fit a 2cm longer stem I've recreated my position on my previous road bike, albeit I've reduced the saddle set back to bottom bracket measurement by 2cm.

Will this reduction in setback and increase in stem length have any effect on handling, ride etc?

It will change the way your knees are aligned in relation to the pedals and how your hip is angled. It's not just a question about reach to the bars. You could potentially suffer serious injury, and loose power with the change in hip angle. Assuming your previous position was the best for you ofcourse...

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Actually, you haven't recreated your position, as you have significantly changed your setback, compared to your original position. Your saddle setback is in the most important touchpoint of your fit as it determines the fore/aft distance from the BB.. The workaround you suggest is a poor solution. Contact Scott and get the correct setback seatpost for your fit...apparently Ritchey is producing the Foil seatposts in three offset options. See the review here which explains such:
http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2012/05/s ... il-review/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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^ Agreed. You never want to mess with saddle setback to compensate for reach.

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Ok - valuable confirmation. Your feedback is appreciated.

The challenge now is to locate a 25mm setback Ritchey pro Foil aero seat post..

I just acquired a Scott Foil 20 in size 56, and the seatpost is a 25mm offset one. I need a zero offset post, so would you be willing to trade?

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Felt FC: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=116061

I'm actually considering getting a Foil frameset largely because it is one of the few high-end bikes with an integrated ISP that /doesn't/ have a large setback on the seatpost in a size medium, and my fit needs a relatively small BB/saddle distance.

The current trend for ISPs and dedicated seatposts is actually a big problem for getting correct fit, as most often there is only one setback option available. Also, most manufacturers won't actually tell you what the seatpost setback is in the geometry charts.. If the seatpost is supplied with the frame and there are no replacements available, then the setback is an absolutely critical part of the geometry and it is unforgivable if manufacturers won't supply this information.

The Italian brands seem to be the worst. Despite several emails to Wilier and various distributors and retailers, no-one has actually been able to tell me what the setback is on the new Cento Uno SR seatmast and if any replacements with different setbacks are available. The Bianchi Oltre in a size 55 has a 73.5 degree seat tube angle and (so I eventually found out) a 25mm seatback on the dedicated seatpost, which means I could effectively never ride one. Good that Scott at least make a range of different setbacks on their seatmasts (if they won't actually supply you with one I would make a BIG fuss about it), I think this has to become the required standard for frames with ISPs etc.

First, everyone's assuming the last bike had the best position.

It seems to me if you bring the saddle forward if you want to keep the hip angle the same you don't want to just push the bars out. Rather you want to rotate your hips and bars about the bottom bracket axis. That means raising the saddle slightly to preserve saddle-to-BB, moving your bars out, but then dropping them slightly.

I did some calculations here.

Basically you want to povot this diagram about the bottom bracket:


The net result:

ΔyS = ‒Δx (xS / yS)
ΔyH = ‒Δx xH / yS.
ΔxH = Δx yH / yS,

Check the link for details.

But this is just simple geometry. Honestly I know nothing about proper fitting.

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I don't think the Foil comes in an ISP, but rather uses a proprietary seatpost made by Ritchey. They come in different setback options, but afaik, all frames 54cm and under come with a zero setback post, and 56 and above comes in setback. Which sucks for me, because I have short femurs and have my saddle slammed almost all the way forward on a zero setback 73.5 STA

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Felt FC: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=116061

Yes, you are right - if you bring the saddle forward and maintain the same saddle height measured to the BB, you need to raise the saddle a little, so you are indeed effectively rotating around the BB.

My last bike fit moved me forward a bit amongst other things, and it seems to work quite well for me. As mentioned above, it changes the angle the hips make with the torso when pedalling. The fitter seemed to think this would give me more power (it certainly hasn't reduced it), but it's also commonly said that sitting further back can give more power (especially for climbing) by activating the glutes more.

I just sit a bit further back on the rear edge of the saddle on the rare occasions I feel I need to, but you will often see people do the opposite, i.e. have the saddle set further back and then move forward to be "on the rivet" when they want more power on the flat. Me, I find it more comfortable very occasionally sitting further back on the saddle than frequently sitting on the nose without my sitbones supported...