Saddles can be raised or lowered and moved forward or back, but the setting that's most important to avoid numbness and discomfort is the tilt, or nose angle-as in, there shouldn't be any.

When possible, make sure that the saddle is level. You can check this by laying a straight edge along the saddle and eyeballing it in relation to a tabletop, windowsill or the ground. Better yet, use a carpenter's level (one of those rulers with a liquid-filled vial in it). Your saddle is in the right place when the air bubble sits between the hash marks on the vial.

If you still end up with crotch soreness or lower back pain, you can try tilting the nose down one to three degrees. Tilting it up, however, is more likely to be part of the problem than the solution. I have no idea why you'd want the nose up for any reason.

One thing to remember: When you tilt the saddle down, you put more weight on your arms and shoulders. Since that can lead to wrist or shoulder strain, some people raise or shorten the stem [where the handlebars attach] to compensate. Adjusting the stem may also help with crotch pain, and some expertgs suggest trying that before you tilt the saddle down.

Another possible fix: Instead of aligning the saddle perfectly with the bike's top tube, try skewing the nose a little to one side. Make the bike fit you, not the other way around.

Finally, prevent numbness in your crotch the same way you prevent it in your fingers: by changing position often. Shift your weight by sliding forward and back on the saddle (this also works different leg muscles), and stand up every once in while, even on long, straight flat roads. Also, carry a light load on your back during long rides. The added weight increases pressure in the last place you want it.

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