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Home / Mountain Bikes and Gear / Components / Saddles / Survey

MTB Seat Angle: Nose Up, Down, or Flat?

Depending on how you ride and where your saddle is positioned, you may prefer to ride with the nose up, down, or level.

By Jeff Barber
June 2, 2024 Last Updated: June 3, 2024

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saddle angle measurement — Photo: Jeff Barber

Mountain bike saddle angle is an important variable when it comes to comfort and control. Most riders prefer an angle that’s close to level, but may choose to angle the nose up or down depending on preference and riding style. Read this to learn how to dial in your saddle angle.

Do you know the exact angle you prefer? Tell us in the comments below!

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Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber has been mountain biking since 1992 and has tested hundreds of mountain bikes and components. He is the co-founder of Singletracks and serves as Editor in Chief. Contact him at [email protected].

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14 Comments

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Julio Rodriquez Tennessee // 2022
Jun 2, 2024

Very slightly nose up. Makes it easier to get behind the saddle for those steep down hill sections

3 reply

Stinkfist Arizona // 2018
Jun 2, 2024

I ride mostly XC and have tried to position my saddle flat. At some point during the ride I, inevitably, end up crushing the fruit bowl...usually during a climb. Slight nose down for me. I don't know how others who spend a lot of time in the saddle can ride flat.

2 reply

S_g_xxx_82 Wisconsin // 2012
Jun 3, 2024

For me it really depends on the style of bike and saddle. With wtb pure saddles end up slightly nose down while the Brooke's end up slightly nose up

1 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Jun 2, 2024

I avoid a saddle that has a ski jump at the rear because it pisses off my scoliosis! Slight nose up, never nose down, mostly level. 4X bike, trialsy HT that is a pithy little punkass!! And a stock trials bike that has no provision for a seat.

1 reply

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Jun 4, 2024

I have seen some people commenting on social media that they put a book across the saddle and then put a level on the book. I wanted to add here that this technique might have worked with older saddles back in the day, but many (not all, but many) of today's saddles actually feature a slight rise at the very back of the saddle to keep you firmly in place. Even the saddle pictured here appears to have a slight rise in the tail. So, if you were to do the book/level method, your saddle angle would be all kinds of messed up. A small level as pictured here is the way to go.

1 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Jun 5, 2024

Indeed! Some have to adjust to alleviate the ski jump out of the picture. Saddle choices and tire pressures were never, ever subjective, were they?!?!

0 reply

Dr Sweets Georgia // 2016
Jun 3, 2024

I've employed an approximate 2-3 degree downward tilt from horizontal on my bikes for years. I've grown so accustomed to it, the saddle height and the fore/aft position that I can immediately tell if it is out of line. My tuchus is both highly trained and sensitive.

1 reply

troutwest66 Idaho // 2019
Jun 7, 2024

My daughter is a PT and certified bike fitter and the rule of thumb is nose down from 2-4 degrees or so. Full squish bike will level out with sag when pedaling. Hardtail needs less tilt since there's no rear sag. Then adjust for each rider. I think my Norco Sight is 4 degrees nose down and my fat hardtail around 2. I would have to look up the numbers. Going from memory.

1 reply

baillie2 2016
Jun 6, 2024

Slightly downscoping works best for uphill while upscoping feels more secure for DH........so flat is a good general purpose position.
To find the sweet spot I just have to make adjustments while riding.
Maybe a seat post-adjustment thingy could be invented?

1 reply

michaelcole California // 2018
Jun 7, 2024

Developing a seat that could pivot automatically up or down

0 reply

Primoz Slovenia // 2024
Jun 4, 2024

Pointing towards the bars (kinda top cap over the stem but it depends on the rise of the bars).

0 reply

Rockpicker Missouri // 2022
Jun 3, 2024

The nose of my seat is level but the seat as a whole is tilted slightly forward, or with the tail higher. Depends on the saddle profile. I have a WTB Pure.

0 reply

AwintersTale California // 2024
Jun 3, 2024

With a new Ergon Enduro (oil slick rails), I positioned it slightly nose up, which took much weight off the grips. It was the single most influential adjustment to my cockpit, ever.

0 reply

James Rolls Massachusetts // 2019
Jun 6, 2024

Interesting. I have to look into that. Having shoulder problems from too much weight on my hands.

1 reply

Tagged: bike fit, survey, gear, saddles

First published June 2, 2024 @ 3:44:00