Well the really thin seat just keeps it out of the way so that I don't get hung up. I put it up and down depending on what I am doing (why I'm getting a dropper seat because it gets old). I'm not really on the thin seat much when I trail ride but do need a seat. When I ride the road or a bike path, I ride for 30-60 miles and do need the seat since I am sitting down. I guess most people have two bikes, one for mountain bike and one for road.