How refreshing to read this on STW. I'm with geetee, saddle down allows you to ride the bike better (when you're not climbing), and of course it's more fun.
It's up to you though, there's nothing 'wrong' with keeping your seat up, but it seems silly to criticize others for riding in a way that you don't like. Same goes for 'too much' suspension.
To add to the discussion, I ride a hardtail so its a bit more important to be able to absorb the impacts with your legs.
I am a sad git that has a bike for all sorts of riding, a road/sportive bike for fast commute, LeJog and other random road rides with mates who only ride on the roads. I have a 6" travel damage limitation/skill compensator full suss for big days on rocky rides where my hardtail may start busting wheels. Then I have my 456 with 140mm u turn forks and 'freeride' based wheels etc as again I ride heavy as I am heavy. Finally I have an impulse follow the crowd/give it a go SS that Ihave used for slow commuting and rides that are flatter/non rocky/mud fests.
The fact of it is that I would like the convenience of say a gravity dropper but cannot justify the additional cost when balanced agaianst life expectancy of the mechanics of the thing, I just regularly regrease the Hope seat clamps and practice thumb exercises.
My bikes are all governed by the hard riding I do and my bodyweight (17 stone) with the exception of the SS. The bike may stay, it may go, it ay get higher gearing to be iused as the winter commuter and is the only real sign of me following the trend of some of my riding buddies.
I am glad that there are some soft riders about that jack it all in till the weather is fine as it makes for empty fast trails for me during the winter.
equally, riding a 34pound bike up ahill is definitely harder than riding a 26 pound bike up a hill....
*tempted to join in debate but thinks not, doesn't want to upset anyone* leaves thread quietly.....
Under biked is better than over biked.
Over biked is just so SAAAAAAD
Quite agree which is why I ride the 456 as much as I can it will handle all but the biggest nastiest DH's as well as general 'riding' To be honest if I could only have one bike it would be the 456.
djglover - Member
Under biked is better than over biked.
Over biked is just so SAAAAAAD
I'll dig out my mums old shopper then 
This thread started ok & then turned into the usual boswollox that most threads do.Who cares about weights,travel,seat up/down etc etc etc....
As long as you're all enjoying your riding then who cares..... 
X BIKE IS TOO MUCH FOR X TRAIL....ETC
I sort of agree with that in some situations, if only because too much travel can render a given trail dull. Similarly too little travel can be a chore. Good thing the bike police don't have powers of arrest.
I ride a hardtail during the week on my local natural trails. At the weekend it's out with my 7 year old Juliana with 10c.m. of travel, which I love.
I really don't care that I don't have the bling or new bike it's all about the fun.
However after riding down Pecket well a few months ago, I really would have enjoyed it more with the saddle down.
over/under biked???? wtf
ride what ya brung
Sax quite rightly mentions body position and seems to be the only person on this thread that 'gets it'. Just take a look at this picture of Steve Peat and think about it.
erm no he's not!
He's also on about running the saddle high, doesnt look like Steve Peat is there
And is arse is on the saddle, right???
Jeeeeeeez, when you have your saddle up you cant be in that position, because your saddle would be hammering your sternum.
Our best local technical rider( and he is very ,very good) doesn't fanny about dropping and raising his saddle(in this country),but if folk want to to do it,carry on.
Take a shock pump and you can have fun on any bike on most trails.Experiment or just use what you have got and ENJOY
Back on topic; yes, some have gone soft and look for any excuse - bike too heavy, saddle to high etc.
This topic has been closed to new replies.
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