The purpose of the correct riding posture is to reduce wind resistance, stabilize the center of gravity, and facilitate force. Therefore, comfort is not considered. To achieve the above goals, adjusting the height of the seat cushion slightly higher than the handlebar, leaning the upper body forward when riding, grasping the handlebar with the arm, lowering the heart, etc. can create a more convenient riding style. Let’s talk about the correct riding posture for mountain bikes.
When adjusting the sitting posture of a mountain bike, simply put the following points in mind:
1.Adjust the seat cushion to level.
Lifting the front end will affect blood circulation and compress the prostate. The rear end is tilted and it is easy to sit unsteadily. Since most of the cushion surfaces of seat cushions on the market are curved surfaces, a visual inspection may not be accurate. You can take a long ruler and place it on the cushion first, and then visually observe the level with your eyes, which is much easier. The angle of the seat cushion is not rigid, it is mainly adjusted according to the comfort of your riding posture.
2.Seat Cushion Height
If it is not required to be very precise, you can simply put the pedal to the lowest position, and the heel can step on the pedal. Remember not to pull the seat cushion too high, as it will strain the muscles. If the seat cushion is too low, the power will be affected. It is recommended to find out your “standard seat height” first, and then lower it by a few centimeters to gradually get used to the change in the center of gravity. Then adjust it up little by little (half a centimeter or one centimeter) until you find a good position that can give you peace of mind and confidence, take into account the pedaling force, and avoid physical injury.
3.The height and length of the head of the mountain bike
During normal riding, we should distribute the weight of our body evenly in the “golden triangle” of cycling: the handlebars, the seat cushion, and the pedals. People who do not ride often or have no habit of cycling are not good at using the muscles of the upper body, and the waist is not often exercised, so they will unconsciously make the position of the handlebar high and close, making the riding posture seem like the usual sitting posture. But such a natural-looking position concentrates the weight of the body on the seat cushion, while the handlebars receive only a little of the weight. Although this setting can feel very natural and comfortable at the beginning, most of the body weight is placed on the buttocks. After riding for a long time, the buttocks will be uncomfortable due to excessive pressure, and the lower part will also feel numb. In addition, too upright riding posture will make the rider’s spine directly face the impact from the ground, which will cause back pain after a long time, which is very bad for the body in the long run. Therefore, when setting the height and length of the front of the bike, do not blindly want to increase the height and shorten the front of the bike. Instead, set the front of the car in a suitable position so that some of the weight of the body can be distributed over the handlebars (that is, the muscles of the upper body and arms). Although in the beginning, because the muscle group here is rarely used, it will feel weak and easily tired. But after riding a bike once or twice, after the muscle groups get used to this kind of usage and intensity, the feeling of soreness and discomfort will naturally disappear. Therefore, when setting the length and height of the mountain bike head, you must remember the “biking golden triangle 333 weight principle”.
4.Brake handle position
The correct angle of the brake handle is not enough, whether the fingers can control the handle correctly is also the key. Most of the brake levers now have a very wide adjustment space. So just ask the store to adjust the position of the brake handle according to the size of your palm and the length of your fingers. Basically, the second section of the index finger and the middle finger can be placed on the brake handle to be considered as a pass, so that the reaction time and force of the brakes are fast and powerful enough when real danger is encountered.
