So no hands on pavement gives you a very upright and symmetrical stance.
One hand reaching down to the seat handle gives you stability with an asymmetrical stance that has one shoulder dropped lower than the other.
Two hands on low handlebars requires your body to bend over to grip. Great for a predictable paved surface but harder on your body when constant adjustment is needed.
I’m going to suggest raising your handlebars so you can maintain your upright and symmetrical posture.
Trials riders want simple and one handed gripping because finding their balance point is the main goal and that point is always moving around. They don’t need handlebars or a comfy seat, just a good handle for harsh adjustments.
Road riders want comfort and wind efficiency because the balance is always there but comfort and wind are the bigger problems to deal with. They want a long extended handlebar to lean down on and reduce windage while being comfortable and symmetrical.
Beginner muni riders want comfort and balance control so they get a good seat and use a handle saddle.
Most stay in this asymmetrical stage because they get good at it and their body develops asymmetrically so they never know any better.
Advanced muni riders want more comfort and symmetrical balance control so they have a good seat along with a good handlebar.
Long post short… a long and low slung handlebar will require your body to be bent over while making these muni moves (…if you can hang on with both hands otherwise you throw out an arm and straighten up while trying to save your balance). This has to be hard on your body.
A short and high handlebar will keep you upright and in a more consistent and comfortable body position that is able to react to any shift in balance.
My handlebars are about 8" or so above my seat.
This is what works for me.
@elpuebloUNIdo and @Canoeheadted, you have opposing suggestions. One for handle down, the other for up… Anyway, I also have a M41 saddle handle short currently not in use. I could reattach that and see how it goes.
Side note, it’s a lot wider between my legs than my other saddles.
Found a golf course that is being converted into a park so all the cart paths are open to cyclists. I had it all to myself because it was a stormy evening!
I was off road riding again today, 27.5 URC. I didn’t change my setup. But what was interesting to me was my back isn’t sore today. Maybe this path was less bumpy, or my back is more used to it or my back just did so much earlier in the week that it doesn’t feel it. The other thing I realised is that if I’m going up an offroad hill, I will drive more power through my legs if I’m balanced (Have 2 hands on the handle). 1 hand and then I’m putting significantly less power through my legs. No hands then it’s a moment that I am even less balanced. That doesn’t happen much though.
And the other thing for me to work on is rolling mounts. Gotta practice it.
Having one hand in the air gives me muscle ache in my shoulder. I try to alternate between hands, but it feels better with the left arm in the air for balance and the right on the seat.
For me, I naturally put left hand on seat and right in the air. Not sure why. But I’d do the same on a bike too, left hand on handle and right doing something else.
As a road rider, I find the wind resistance caused by my more upright position (bar going up, relatively close to my saddle) negligible.
I think the up/down debate is however very down to your setup and the length of your arms in relation to your torso as well as any potential efficiency gains. If you’ve got a shadow handle then the angle of the bar is also linked to the angle of the saddle, and a curved bar going up could be in a very similar position to a bar going down on a t-bar if the whole straight bar points up more to start with.
this is a strange thing about offroad riding: I started (a long time ago!) to ride with François M. who was an adept Munier… then he gave up because of sore back The reverse is true for me: muniing is good for my back (though I am far older than François - who now practices ultra-long distance running-)!
why? I just don’t know ! I am not very relaxed when riding … so ???
I think the most important thing regarding back soreness is whether we’re talking about muscle soreness or an injury. Muscle soreness is a good thing. It means you’re working those muscles and getting stronger. Keep it up and it will eventually go away. Back pain originating from something else is a sign that you’re injuring yourself.
True. I’d say that my back pain was muscle soreness, rather than an injury for me. My right knee occasional pain on the other hand is due to damage over time.
The reverse is true for me: muniing is good for my back (though I am far older than François - who now practices ultra-long distance running-)!
