Pasdetout

I noticed that I don't stand up as much as my male mtbing partners. I can if I want to, but I seem to lose a lot of control over the bike and am much more comofortable sitting, even when ascending steep slopes. I honestly don't get that much more power by standing anyway. Why is this? Do I just need to practice more? Is there some upper-body strength issue here? Do other female riders have trouble standing?

Pamestique 

No it means you are riding more efficiently. You really should have no need to stand while mountain biking (yes guys I know you do - but do you really have to???)

Also may have something to do with equipment. I am more likely to stand if on my hardtail than if riding my fully.

Women tend to ride using their gears... men have more strength and will use that instead of finesse. There is no right or wrong and I wouldn't worry if you don't stand much. They should be wondering how come you can stay in the saddle and still climb!

Edited to add: If you mean while descending... no one should be standing. Everyone, including women, should be sitting off the back of the saddle; it's more a slide back than a stand up. That does take practice.

Zan

it hurts when the saddle hoofs you in the nuts when you ride a tricky part.

if your rear is glued to the seat it doesn't hurt much at all. when you hit a bump, bounce off the saddle an inch and then hit another bump successively, that's when the saddle knows it's time to strike!

Chris_F

You may be a bit lighter than your male counterparts. When you sit your weight is effectively "unsprung" (assuming a hardtail here). When you stand your weight is "sprung". It's a bit more efficient to cary sprung weight than unsprung weight over rough terrain. So for heavier riders the point at which it's more efficient to stand comes earlier, hence more standing.

I think sitting is often (usually?) the best, most efficient way to ride so you may just have better technique than the guys you ride with as well...

Richard_Rides

It's more efficient to climb while seated, but you climb faster when standing. Climbing out of the saddle on a road bike requires skill to do it well, on a mountain bike, it requires A LOT of skill, especially during technical sections.

BCIpam hit the nail on the head, standing on a full suspension bike is like running in molasses. I lock my shock out, but it's still a mushy feeling.

Pasdetout

sweet yeah. I'm riding full squishy...I'd be curious to hear some responses from ladies, tho.

DirtPedalerB

bike forums is a sausage party

forest4thetrees

This is extremely ********, even by BF standards.

No need to stand while mountain biking? That is idiotic.

Cyclist30907654

Yes

Also wrong.

DirtPedalerB

you get bucked off the bike if your not standing over the rough stuff.. that's why you stand, and to let your rear end breath a little. I find better control when standing you can lean the bike without leaning yourself.

mcoine

This may be the worst advice I've ever seen here. I mean, the edited part is exactly the opposite of reality..

Cyclist30907654

...and to add, it's not even eloquent enough to be signature-worthy.

Cyclist30907654

Okay, I've an idea for a game, the first person to lick their rotor after a long downhill wins.


And be sure to take video evidence.


Because after all, that isn't anymore ******** than anything else in this bloody thread...

jcook1989

I think it comes down to riding style. I have friends who leave it in high gear and are out the saddle all the time wheras my fat ass almost NEVER come out of the saddle I just drop it into granny and grind it out. I find I get more traction out of the rear that way. But like I said personal preference.

Edit: That is only climbing. I am never in the saddle descending it is a big of a pain in the ass.

kenhill3

Let's hope that BCIpam isn't spreading bad advice too far like defective DNA in the gene pool.

OP: A lot of the time MTB riding is all about standing/being off the saddle. Especially decending . Get in the habit of doing it.

kenhill3

Going down it's usually a matter of necessity, not 'style'.Either you don't do much in the way of decending or your downhills are packed and smooth.

jcook1989

I changed my post up. I was only talking about climbing. I am never in the saddle going downhill.

NicholasAMonzo

Climbing Road/Trail: You should always be tucked down a little into the center of your bike to get the dead weight effect onto your bike for maximum climb and grip. Standing and pumping is a foolish way to climb a hill, the only reason you see it done on tv is because their racing, not trying to enjoy a hill climb. And don't put it in the lowest gear, find one that is just right for you. When I climb hills Ill ride straight up them as long as I can, as soon as I get tired I will ride up the hill going left to right like a zigzag, while crossing each side of the trail/road I can relax enough to get a little more energy in me to do another straight up climb.

Downhill Road/Trail: If you're on a flat surface like a road then tuck your self into your bike BECOME one with it and get as aerodynamic as possible. As for a trail with bumps and rocks and those big branches. You will want to stand up, not fully but enough to keep your butt off your seat, and again stay as aerodynamic as much as you can, and be prepared to lean that bike left or right.

I hope I helped.

Lebowski

like mentioned before men sit down due to their two fleshy dangling punching bags of pain. every man has to train him self from an early age to avoid unwanted contact between the legs. standing on a bike is instinct all physics aside. some things are necessity not an option.

i am not a big guy but i can use my entire body weight whilst standing. it uses alot more energy but is alot faster. depending on the climb and rider the pros and cons can go either way,

mtnbiker66

Wow.....that could be worst advice ever given on BF. Are you serious? No one should be standing while decending? Please say you're joking.

rydaddy

Uhhh, huh? There are plenty of reasons to stand while climbing other than racing. Power bursts, resting the back, etc, etc, etc. As for the zig-zagging.... many of us don't have that luxury. It's called singletrack.

forest4thetrees

The only thing foolish is your inaccurate comment about climbing.

On many of my rides standing is the only to get up the hill.

In addition, the reason that many folks will stand will climbing hills (that don't necessarily require standing) is to slightly alter the load on their leg muscles, since standing uses your leg muscles in a slightly different way.

Pamestique 

OK boys settle down. First of all if riding full squishy there is no need to stand over technical sections and squishy riders know that. If on a hard tail or rigid then I understand you are forced to stand, using your legs like a rear shock. Trust me I ride rigid, HT and Fully.

There is a difference to me of standing up on the bike and pulling off the rear of the saddle. If I stand straight up, that would put the center of my weight over the saddle, not good for descents. I want my weight off the back so I pull off the saddle, using my legs and centering over the rear wheels. I think that's what you assume is the same as standing up but there is a big difference in standing on a climb and pulling off the saddle in a descent (really if you read what I posted we are saying the same thing).

And face it--- men and women ride differently. Women are more finesse and men power. Alot of my buddies power up steep ascents in a higher gear, using leg strength and piston action to climb. I tend, as do most women, to use my gears, stay sitted with is more efficient, and allow the bike and my endurance to get me up the hill.

In commenting it would probably be a good idea to mention that style of bike you ride. My comments were geared to the OP who I assumed was on a fully. If you are riding a HT or rigid, it makes a difference.

Anyway settle down, give the OP advice and laid off me and my womanly advice.

Pamestique 

Obviously!!!!

mtnbiker66

Wow, the hits just keep on coming.