Sliding forward on saddle... symptom of?

I would say poor bike fit, but I'm not an expert.
Too bad there isn't any place you could get a proper bike fit.

I had a similar problem when I recently changed saddles. I thought I could get it close enough by myself, but it still needed a bike fit to correct. But I was sliding forward and constantly having to adjust my position. My saddle was tilted down just slightly, they corrected that and they also adjusted it just a bit forward.

You may have the saddle level according to your "level" but is the surface you have the bike on level? You may still be pointed down slightly, causing you to slide forward.

I've had a bike fit and still have to scoot back on my seat regularly.  I was told it's because I'm more of a runner than a rider so tend to be more upright.

My bike fit guru identified my problem as tight hamstrings. I was trying to 'protect' them by moving forward on the saddle and pointing my toes. Solution was intensive hamstring/hip stretches, shorter stem, lower seat and slide saddle way back on the rails. I then had to re-learn pedaling with my heels driving down. As my flexibility returned I was able to return to my more usual bike fit specs.
Good Luck

What happens if you tip it up slightly?  Or move it forward slightly?  (I'm not a bike fitter.  Just wondering whether these wouldn't solve your problem.)

It happens to me when I wear certain bike tights but not with my normal bike shorts or tights. Just wondering if it happens always to you and if you have different bike shorts as I'm pretty sure you can wear them year round where you are.

I nose ride on purpose.  Puts me in a better position.  Tri-Saddles are meant to be ridden forward, not middle as road saddles are.  (At least that is the way I have always read it)

That's what I've heard and read too. I was watching Kona 2005 on US and noticed how far forward the pros were on their saddles. When I am in aero I seem to naturally drift forward on the saddle. I feel like I have more power/efficiency.

I dont do it purposely but I find myself toward the front of my saddle but not uncomfortably so. Especially when I am really pushing. If I am not on my aero bars I slide back slightly. All without really meaning to.

No .. basically ALL saddles are designed to be ridden in the middle/back.  The reason tri saddles have additional padding in the nose is because you are rolled forward from the hips when you are in the aero position so more of your bits contact the saddle.

People "riding on the rivet" (that is what it is called when you slide all the way forward on the saddle) are altering their position to drive down more and produce more power.  Those same people will also toe point down on their pedal strokes in most instances.  Tougher on the calves.

Pro cyclists are limited to their position allowed for the nose of their saddle (cannot be past a certain distance of the center line of the bottom bracket/cranks).  So when they ride a more aggressive geometry frame (Cervelo and Felt guys) they have to slam their seat back on the rails and to gain some forward position often cut off the nose of the saddle.  And they STILL ride on the rivet to get the increased angle.

As to the OP and why I would guess you are sliding forward?  Your position is more than likely too stretched out and this is how you are compensating for it.  But without seeing you riding that is simply a guesstimate.

Edited by Daremo 2009-04-09 9:46 AM

X2. It is a factor of which muscles you're deriving the power from. As Rick mentioned, you see cyclists slide up on the nose to generate more power in certain instances(especially in the sprints). You see them slide back in a seated climb. My guess is that you're using the quads a lot.

Adjust the nose of the saddle slightly upwards and/or move your saddle a bit backwards.  As previous postings observe, saddles are designed to be ridden "in the sweet spot" and NOT on the nose.