The Original Tool

The original tool & "Print your own"

This page brings together everything you need to assemble and use the original Ryden bike setup tool: the orange and white version with the full length. The designs for this tool are also published on printables.com so that you can print your own.

1. Assembling the tool

Bottom bracket end cap. Ensure the Bottom Bracket (BB) locator end cap is fastened securely to the "0" end of the ruler. This is designed to be a tight fit and will need knocking on, I usually just tap it on the floor. Make sure it is fully inserted, and that the side with metric only is on top, showing in the window of the end cap.

BB / handlebar measuring block. The Bottom Bracket / Handlebar measuring block slides onto the ruler next, with the arrow at the top pointing downwards. This line takes into account the 20mm offset when measuring the BB height from the ground.

Remaining pieces. The remaining pieces can then be slid onto the ruler. On the original tool the phone holder sits on the edge of the ruler.

Optional seat clamp spacers. The optional seat clamp spacers (10mm, 20mm) can be used if the saddle centre width is wider than 70mm. For wide saddles this spacer helps keep the seat clamp level and square on top of the saddle when measuring. Many saddles are 70mm or 80mm wide at the centre, some of the modern stubby saddles are wider, e.g. 90mm or 100mm. Most bike fitters are now standardising on the use of 80mm.

3. The App

Once you have the tool assembled, the next step is to launch the app. The current apps are in the iOS App Store and the Android Play Store and these are also compatible with the original tool. The iOS and Android apps have instructions and a guide built in, and you can also run the app without a tool.

4. The process

The recommended way to use the tool is to first define a reference profile, either from your bike fit data or by measuring your reference bike. Then duplicate it to create a profile for each bike you own, because in reality there are likely to be differences between them. You can then capture and store the measurements for each bike separately.

Work through the three steps below in order. The most important is the saddle position. If you have details from a bike fitter then you are likely to need the handlebar position as well; if you do not, the final hand position is the more useful measurement.

Step 1 – Saddle position

Position your bike

Before you start, make sure the bike is on a horizontal surface and standing vertically upright. You can use the angle measurement feature in the app to check this if necessary. Standing the bike against a wall is normally sufficient.

Find your saddle centre

Remove the seat clamp section from the tool, loosen the Allen bolt slightly, place the flat face on top of the saddle and align it with the mid point of the straight part of the saddle rail.

Many saddles have measurements marked on the rail. If yours does not, use a tape measure alongside to find the centre of the rail. For the majority of saddles this point is where the width is 70 or 80mm, although some designs vary.

Adjust the tool to the correct width at the saddle centre, making sure it is a tight fit on the saddle. You can then use this to quickly locate the same point on this and other saddles in future. Assuming you use saddles of a similar design, you should not need to change it once set. Add the optional spacers if they help the tool sit flat on top of the saddle.

Bottom bracket to saddle angle

Slide the phone holder pieces and the seat clamp onto the tool. If you are tall, place the phone holder on first. Then place your phone securely into the holder.

Bottom bracket to saddle distance

With the tool still correctly located on the bike, read the measurement in the window of the seat clamp and enter it into the app, e.g. 768mm in the example. Once this is entered, the Saddle X (setback) and Y (vertical height) are calculated for you.

Step 3 – Hand position

This step is intended for road bikes, but you may wish to adapt the process for other styles too.

Measure saddle centre to hand position

Bike fit professionals generally prefer to use the handlebar centre as the main reference point, but for a home mechanic it is also useful to capture the rider hand position, particularly if you have multiple bikes with different handlebar dimensions, brake lever sizes, or a difference in height between the handlebar centre and the hand position.

Using the Hands Adapter add-on

You do not need the phone in the tool for this, so remove it to reduce the risk of it falling out.

1. Remove the bottom bracket adapter from the BB end cap (Shimano, SRAM, etc.).

2. Connect the Hands Adapter to the BB plug. The cone extending from the hands tool should be on the same side of the ruler as the saddle adapter, for longer reach and wide handlebars.

3. Position the metal bars on top of the hand position, on the hoods.

4. Slide the saddle adapter to the centre of the saddle.

Take the measurement from the saddle block. In the example this is 758mm.

Without the Hands Adapter

1. Remove the saddle clamp from the ruler and place it on the saddle to locate the centre.

2. Place the ruler horizontally across the bars in your normal hand position.

3. Use a tape measure to measure from the slot in the centre of the saddle block to the front edge of the ruler.

Advanced fields

The application has an additional advanced fields section at the bottom for additional data such as saddle tilt, BB height and crank length.