You may prefer a more upright riding position on your bike for a variety of reasons.
All of them are completely deserving and span from comfort to fashion. Mountain bikes and road bikes both had their beginnings upright.
In this piece, I’ll discuss a few techniques for getting a more upright riding position.
Table of Contents
How Do I Make My Mountain Bike More Upright?
By shifting the location of your hands in relation to the saddle, you may make your bike sit more upright.
You may get into a more upright stance by raising the handlebars, shortening your stem, or gently moving your saddle forward.
Bar End Grips
Why not consider some bar end grips for the cheapest and most straightforward modification?
When I started noticing in the 1990s, this was a standard feature on mountain bikes to provide more leverage when climbing!
Since then, riser bars have become more popular, but at around $15 for some simple ones, they may still be a reasonable option to add a little comfort to your back and wrists.
Recently, bar-end grips have become more popular in the world of touring and commuting.
I’ve really been using my Ergon GP5 grips for a very long time, and I can’t say enough good things about them.
Riser Bars
Riser bars are still another option, albeit perhaps not the severe sort you would recall from a 1970s Chopper or a Harley Davison!
Typically, they are flat bars with a minor to moderate upward curve.
They’re well-liked by trail riders for their added control and comfort, and they also make a comfortable grip possible, especially for those who choose a somewhat broader hand position.
Riser bars come in a plethora of styles. To place your hand in a more neutral posture, some even include a tiny back sweep.
Stem Extenders
You may elevate your handlebars up to five or six inches, which is a significant amount, for a reasonable price by using stem extenders or risers.
Even a small rise of 1 inch has a significant impact.
They are really simple to install; normally, all it takes is a few bolts on top of the steerer tube of your fork.
An excellent value that is far less expensive than a new bike or physiotherapy.
There are several choices to fit your bike and budget. Some of them have height adjustments, while others have set heights.
A saddle that is overly uncomfortable may result from elevating your handlebars excessively, which can entirely alter your riding position and put a lot more pressure on your bum.
Adjustable Stems
Similar to stem risers, but with the ability to shift the handlebar forward and backward as opposed to up and down.
Although they often don’t allow for quite as much height gain as the stem riser, adjustable stems are a popular choice for many due to the flexibility to change the riding posture back and forth.
There is room for riders of all sizes and shapes with a 60-degree bend.
Butterfly Bars
Don’t sting like a bee, soar like a butterfly instead! These are common among bike trekkers and resemble a pair of ram’s horns.
These are very common in Europe, and my local gym puts them on static cycles for the convenience of non-cyclists.
Additionally, the form allows you to alter your hand and riding positions to prevent stiffness on lengthy rides, both from high to low and left to right.
One of my friends who rode from West to East across France in 2018 recommends them.
Although prices are often a little higher than for stem extenders or riser bars, you also gain some additional advantages in addition to the more upright riding position.
Shorter Stem
By decreasing the stem length, you may also make your riding position somewhat more upright.
Even if the bike is the proper size, a frame that is too large for you or a stem that is too long will make you feel slightly stretched out when riding.
Different bikes naturally place you in a more forward-leaning riding stance than others, such as road bikes or dirt bikes.
Although it modifies it significantly, a shorter stem doesn’t alter the bike’s fundamental geometry.
In a perfect world, you would have purchased a frame that perfectly matched your body type, but you could have inherited or acquired a bike that is a little bit larger.
In this situation, a shorter stem could be the solution, but it’s not a given.
Spacers
If there is space on your headset, using headset spacers is the simplest way to raise your handlebar.
They are quite easy to install. After detaching the stem from the headtube, you install the rings on the headset.
After that, you can bolt it back on and get going.
Stem extenders are quite reasonably priced, and you can give your bike a unique touch by choosing a custom color.
A Good Bike Fit Is Essential
Getting a bike that fits your body is the best option.
Like a suit, you should get one that suits you rather than trying to squeeze yourself into a showy vehicle.
Local bike stores often have a good level of expertise and should be able to provide a basic bike fitting service, likely gratis if you purchase your bike brand new.
This was available in the shop closest to me both before the purchase and again during the initial service, if necessary.
Even with a used bike, a modest payment to your helpful bike expert might make a difference, and it is comforting to have an expert handle any modifications.
Position Your Saddle Differently
You may find yourself in an uncomfortable position if your saddle is too high or too far back.
Before a Sunday ride, mine slid without my knowledge, and I returned virtually paralyzed.
Check your seat post to see if you can move your saddle forward and backward.
On my Orro Terra, there is a good number of inches of adjustment available only on the saddle that came with the bike.
To remove the bolts holding the saddle in place, all you need is the right key, which can be found on any multitool.
Once you’re finished, make sure to tighten it appropriately.
FAQs
Do You Ride a Mountain Bike Upright?
On mountain bikes, you often sit almost erect with only a tiny forward lean, unlike racing road bikes that demand totally forward-bending positions.
In contrast to road bikes, which have curved handlebars, support the posture by bending your arms slightly and holding onto the ends of a flat steering bar.
What Is the Proper Mountain Bike Riding Position?
Depending on the discipline, riding technique, and physical attributes of the rider, the optimum body posture for mountain biking might vary considerably.
Maintaining a modest bend in the arms and keeping your head up while facing ahead can help you locate your position on the bike.
In the basic sitting posture, the handlebar should block your view of the front hub.
Depending on your riding style, you can adjust this position by using a stem with a different length.
For example, cross-country riders typically prefer a more stretched position and will use longer stems for that reason, whereas enduro riders will choose shorter stems to lower their risk of going “over the bars” and find the best position for descending.
Final Thoughts
The most crucial factor is ultimately your comfort while riding. Not only is riding uncomfortable but so is being in it.
Professional mountain bikers don’t feel uncomfortable when riding, and neither should you.
Your whole experience will suffer if you’re in pain. Do yourself a favor and quit pushing through the discomfort and simply push yourself to go farther and quicker.