Mountain biking is great. Riding through the mountains with friends is fun and challenging. But sometimes you find yourself sitting on a seat that just isn’t comfortable.
Mountain bike seats are an important part of your mountain biking experience. They are what keep your bum off the ground while you ride. They are what makes it possible for you to pedal up and down the trails, hills, and mountains.
However, when you’re out riding, it can get uncomfortable after a while. Most people tend to sit on the seat too hard, which can lead to aching knees and back muscles.
If you want to learn how to deal with uncomfortable mountain bike seats then this article is for you.
Why are mountain bike seats so hard or unpleasant to sit in?
The seats on mountain bikes aren’t designed to be comfortable. The hard seats are one of the most popular mountain bike seats. The hard seat has a backrest and is made of hard plastic. Hard seats are also known as “highback” seats.
They’re designed to keep you balanced on the bike as the rider. They are not designed to provide the same level of comfort as a couch. You may make them more comfortable by covering them with a foam pad. Bike saddles are made in this manner by bike manufacturers.
The more narrow a bike seat is, the more speed it will provide to the rider. It will give you more support in terms of carrying weight the harder it is.
How to sit on a hard seat properly?
1. Find your sweet spot
To find your sweet spot, try sitting on a chair and rocking back and forth. Your sweet spot is the position that feels the most comfortable for you.
2. Sit upright
When sitting on a mountain bike seat, you should sit upright. Your back should be straight, your arms should be by your side, and your hands should be in a comfortable position. Your back should not be slumped or hunched.
3. Rest your knees
When you sit on a mountain bike seat, you should rest your knees on the seat. If your knees are touching the seat, your legs will be close to your body, and this can help prevent knee pain.
Effects of riding on uncomfortable bike seat:
If you continue to ride in an uncomfortable bike seat, it will have a significant physical impact on your body. It will have an even greater influence on mountain biking.
Riding on an unadjusted bike seat for an extended period might have catastrophic consequences. To get a sense of how serious things could be, look through the list below.
Soreness:
It goes without saying that if you force yourself to ride in an uncomfortable seat on rocky terrain, you will be in pain for the rest of the week. Back pain: The lower back will be the first part of the body to be affected. Uncomfortable bike seats will always induce you to sit in a terrible posture, and a curved-up posture will always result in back pain.
Hip flexor damage:
The persistent stress will cause damage to your hip flexors. Over time, it will lead you to lose hip mobility.
Thigh muscle pain:
Because thigh muscles are strong in general, they will be the least impacted. Even though thigh muscles are powerful, they can get sore for those who are unlucky.
Postural issues:
In a terrible seat, posture issues are almost certain. Because the rider’s lower back is in chronic pain, he or she will lean forward to compensate. If the rider continues in this manner, he or she will develop a postural problem.
Ways to make mountain seats comfortable:
Even though we’ve established from the preceding paragraph that mountain bike seats are better when they’re unpleasant, there are techniques to make them comfier.
Saddle :
- When it comes to bike comfort, the saddles are the most crucial component. For comfort, most good-quality saddles feature a cutaway region in the middle.
- To keep the seat in the middle, adjust the rails beneath it. Adjust the seat height to match the proportions of your torso.
- Make sure your back is straight when you sit. The majority of mountain bikes have a function that allows you to tilt the bike seat.
- We recommend that you ride in a neutral position on your bike.
Grips:
- The comfort of grips is determined by your grip and arm size. Long-armed people can reach the handlebar without having to lean forward. They tend to lean too far forward at times.
- To reach the handlebar, people with shorter arms must lean forward. They find it difficult to sit in the middle of the bike seat.
- That is why it is critical for everyone, especially those with shorter arms, to alter their handlebar position. This will assist them in maintaining a comfortable position in the bike seat with a straight back.
- The grips themselves have a role to play. Smooth ergonomic grips not only improve your grasp but also improve your sitting posture.
Controls:
- Your seating posture is affected by the control system, particularly the brakes. I don’t want you to hit the brakes by arching your back and leaning forward. This is why you should always set your brakes, shift, and gear higher than normal.
- This is to ensure that you always sit on your bike seat with a straight back. Unless you’re sitting on a rock, a straight back suggests comfort. You can do this on most motorcycles by unscrewing the brake gear and repositioning it.
Handlebar stems:
- Handlebar stems have an impact on your comfort. Uphill paths benefit from wide handlebars, whereas downhill paths benefit from short, narrow handlebars.
- Before entering a competition, choose your handlebars because they have an impact on your sitting position.
Pedals:
- Pedals primarily influence the ankles and calves, but too much pressure on these areas of the body might cause your sitting position to become unbalanced.
- You have the option of flat or clip-less pedals. They eliminate the need to worry about foot positioning. Clip-less pedals have a clip under your shoe that you just insert into the pedal.
- It stabilizes your feet and relieves the strain on your calves. Flat pedals necessitate extreme caution when it comes to foot placement.
- First and foremost, flat pedals do not grip your feet. As a result, you must consider how you will position your feet and how you will operate the pedals. Keep the momentum going uphill.
Conclusion!
It’s always enjoyable to simply get on your bike and ride along a bumpy trail. It feels great to ride a high-quality mountain bike down a rocky road, but if your seat isn’t adjusted properly, you could end up in trouble. A good seat will allow you to sit in a natural position, allowing you to sit upright with a straight back. Therefore, to make the ride more comfortable, the bike must be fitted with a proper seat.
Hence, in this article, we have discussed some effects of riding on a hard mountain bike seat and also suggested some ways to make mountain seats comfortable. We hope this information has helped you out If you have any questions or queries regarding this article, please feel free to ask.
Related Resources:
- Are Mountain Bikes Good For Commuting?
- Do mountain Bikes Have a Weight Limit?
- Can You Ride A Mountain Bike On The Road?
- Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike Under 1500 | Reviews + Guide
- Why Do Mountain Bike Helmets Have Visors?
- Are mountain bikes good for long-distance?
As much as I remember, I started cycling when I was 5 years old. So I got to know that the passion for riding it runs through my blood but buying the right bicycling equipment and trustworthy information is another story. Always betrayed by sellers and even by friends so I decided to revolutionize it. When choosing bicycling products, I evaluate user’s experiences, different forum discussions, and other social media debates. I do in-depth research on every topic I publish to share with you the most valuable and trustworthy information. Read more about the way I choose the best cycling products and my transformation journey from riding it as a hobby to becoming my passion.
