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Saddle up riders

103 posts & 58 voices | Started 2 years ago by Mister P | Latest reply from alex222

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james - Member

On the XC bike it stays up for 95% of a ride, drop it out the way if I find some drops/jumps I fancy having a quick go on

On the FS I used to leave the saddle up as much as I could, the sensation of just about to go over the bars got old though trying to ride stuff with more sudden gradient changes (eg multiple sections of stairs). That and wanting to be able to learn to ride/absorb 3' drops. I bought a (5") dropper post as my frame only has about 3" of saddle drop with the seatpost cut as much as possible, and use it quite a bit, a lot of those times may only be dropping it 1-2" though, so I can still pedal reasonably effectively
As above I could mince my way down stuff, but its more fun to drop the saddle a bit and try jumping off stuff, moving weight around a bit (quickly) and going faster

Posted 2 years ago #
firestarter - Member

tbh i didnt drop it as much before i bought a dropper but use it alot now . Im trying to get better at tech riding so its good to have. For me anyway but each to their own. Like all things bikey personal preference

Posted 2 years ago #
mansonsoul - Member

If the trail goes down, so does my seatpost.

Posted 2 years ago #
Stopadoodledoo - Member

Yep, put the seat down when going downhill most of the time - it's just easier and more fun, as you have far better control of the bike underneath you.

It frightens me when I see people going off drops and over jumps, etc., with their seats right up as it's an accident waiting to happen (body weight in the wrong place). I've seen a fair few stacks as a result of it.

Posted 2 years ago #
Pawsy_Bear - Member

why add 500grams to my bike?

Trail centers I do lower slightly epics up more and thus save 500grams of weight.

Posted 2 years ago #
mansonsoul - Member

A whole 500g

Posted 2 years ago #
myfatherwasawolf - Member

Never move my seatpost. I used to do dual slalom and dirt jumping back in the day, and had a bike for that with a low seat - so I know the benefits - I just don't need it for riding in the Peaks and Dales...

Posted 2 years ago #
PlumzRichard - Member

never move mine, never had felt the need even in steep techy peaks and wales

Posted 2 years ago #
_tom_ - Member

My bikes a bit of a do-it-all so I have to move it. Right down low is perfect for jumping. Up high for pedalling. Works ok. I don't have a dropper though, just a QR.

Posted 2 years ago #
owenfackrell - Member

My HT xc bike the saddle never moves. On the FS for local riding its full up but for playing and desending places like the peaks and wales then i drop it about an inch or so as you can still pedal on the flat inbertween bits but gives more room to be able to move around. Since doing this i have yet to go over the bars where as before it used to happen a fair bit.

Posted 2 years ago #
glenp - Member

Avoiding going over the bars is all about keeping your head up and your heels down and your hips behind your feet - if having a regular height seat makes you feel like you are going to go over the bars you are most likely not doing some of the basics right, in my experience.

Posted 2 years ago #
naokfreek - Member

Up and down alot, all depending though.

Posted 2 years ago #
joolsburger - Member

I've been toying with the idea of a droppy post but on reflection
I've gone 20 years without and I'm rarely over the bars. Steepest stuff I regularly ride doesn't bother me as I'm arse out!

I'm sure you can do much steeper stuff more quickly with the seat down and I drop mine in the mountains and for jumping.

Posted 2 years ago #
epicsteve - Member

Never move the saddle height on my hardtails or Epic but (very) occasionally on the Enduro.

Posted 2 years ago #
julianwilson - Member

very occasionally the saddle on my biiiiig bouncer comes up if i have to pedal somewhere far. singlespeed and xc bike don't have qr's so always at pedally height.

Posted 2 years ago #
kiwijohn - Member

Back in the day of narrow bars & long stems I used to. Now with shorter stems & wide riser bars, it's really not necessary.
In fact on our group ride last week, one guy dropped his saddle for the down hill & was openly mocked for it. It really wasn't that steep.

Posted 2 years ago #
surf1666 - Member

dropper post is the way forward! this sounds like the suspension buzz from the nineties!

Posted 2 years ago #
stuartanicholson - Member

For all you seat up, ride down fans...you simply cant ride as fast down a hill (unless its pretty easy) with your seat up.
Of course it depends on what bike you're riding and the type of ride you're on...my xc h/t never moves, but i like to go as fast as i can on my f/s so its up/down. Anyone riding an agressive/fun bike down large(ish) decents with their saddle up needs their head seen to!

Posted 2 years ago #
kiwijohn - Member

Is there a doctor in the house?

Posted 2 years ago #
jackal - Member

Yep he's right, you can't ride fully committed down fast technical downhills with your seat up at an efficient pedalling height, if you think you can then you obviously aren't going fast enough

Also I find if you have your seat too low on DH's then you lose some control, saddle down as low as it will go should only really be used for jumping and bmx track work. This of course varies slightly with different frame designs and all imo of course.

Posted 2 years ago #
coolhandluke - Member

I rarely move my saddle at all as I find it high enough for climbing and low enough for descending and in enough to fit in the boot of the car.

However, a few days in Morzine saw the saddle getting lower and lower on a daily basis.

generally my legs hold the saddle somewhat and give the me more control / stability.

Posted 2 years ago #
HansRey - Member

been trying to keep it static for a year now, and i only lower it for ranmoor singletrack now.

Posted 2 years ago #
doug_basqueMTB.com - Member

Up and down and then up and down all the time. You can't move your weight around as much with the saddle up, you can't lean the bike as much and you can't get in that position where your weight is low and the bars are weighted. All IMO of course. You can still ride with your saddle up of course and you can pretty much get down anything like that but I find it too much of a compromise.

Posted 2 years ago #
jim_1980 - Member

never move mine.

Posted 2 years ago #
tracknicko - Member

thisisnotaspoon:

if you rde bmx regularly then i thought you would understand...

with the seat up, there is nowhere to 'tuck' i.e. you cant bend your knees (much)

unless you shift your ass onto your tt or behind ya seat, and then your weight dist will be all over the show....

Posted 2 years ago #
geetee1972 - Member

How many times?????? Saddle down is NOT about allowing you to get your weight back behind the saddle, which is not the place you want to be for the majority of DH riding.

It's about lowering your centre of gravity - see the article in this month's issue of Dirt for an explanation.

Weight evenly distributed 'tween front and rear, allows you to move your COG around to weight/unweight the wheels as needed (especially forward) for better control/grip etc.

You don't 'need' to lower the saddle but you will go a heck of a lot faster DH if you do.

Posted 2 years ago #
Normal Man - Member

I leave my saddle 'set' so to speak. In fact I recently ditched the QR and replaced with a collar/bolt. I've never really been one to move the saddle around, although a couple of my riding buddies do all the time. (even when putting the car on the roof to go home!)

Posted 2 years ago #
Dancake - Member

I have been running with a really high saddle since I started this buisiness intil recently. I am now "training" my legs to a lower saddle so I dont have to move it. It hurts like hell and Ill never be as efficient (probably) but god I feel happier now I can move around the bike without it getting in the way!

Posted 2 years ago #
joolsburger - Member

What is wrong with me. Despite my previous comments I've just bought a droppy seatpost.

I think the only person who can aswer what's best in this regard is youself so I'm going to try it.

Never mind the fact that I did get myself quite seriously with a saddle in the delicates a couple of weeks back.

My debit card should be hidden from me I'm far too gullable.

Posted 2 years ago #
tracknicko - Member

agree with geetee.

riding with post up means you are either right over the tt or right over the back wheel, or at least at the height of your seat when stood up...

Posted 2 years ago #
DickBarton - Member

Never move it...I find it a real faff getting it back to the right height...slightest change and my legs tell me immediately...too low and my thighs hurt, too high and my leg extends too far and I rotate on my saddle (not comfy). I've got long arms and legs so I can move around the bike without much issue with my saddle sticking way up so not a problem for me.

I understand the benefits of dropping the saddle but as I can get my backside on my back tyre without dropping it then I don't see the issue for myself.

Posted 2 years ago #
GW - Member

I pretty much leave mine fully slammed all the time these days (I'm rarely out for more than a few hours though)

I can't jump/pump/bunny hop/unweight/manual/corner/drift/skid/drop as well with it at full height (wheelies are easier tho).

Posted 2 years ago #
tracknicko - Member

good point GW. manualling at full post height is just confusing....

Posted 2 years ago #
glenp - Member

tracknicko - what you say makes no sense! With your pedals level you must be at least the length of a crank over the saddle and able to position yourself wherever you like, surely? Even taking off a bit to allow for a bend in the knee you still have a good few inches or more clearance to the saddle.

Posted 2 years ago #
GW - Member

Glen you're obviously an idiot!

Posted 2 years ago #