How often do you straddle the top tube on your mountain bike?

No clearance is no problem if you're always on the pedals.

By Jeff Barber
March 9, 2025

6 comments

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A mountain biker climbing a rocky path in a forested area, wearing a helmet and gloves, with a smile on his face. The cyclist is dressed in a light green shirt and dark pants, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves. — File photo.

Standover height is an important bike dimension in terms of utility, and it also has a big influence on how bikes look. For many years, bent top tubes ensured plenty of standover height; today, straight, sloping tubes are much more common.

Which got us wondering: How often are we straddling/standing over our bikes anyway? For example, if there’s a short hike-a-bike section, some riders will completely dismount to the side while others will sorta duckwalk with the bike between their legs. I’ve even known some riders to mount a bike from the back of the bike, skipping the top tube altogether.

Me? I occasionally sit on my top tube at rest stops and will duckwalk the bike short distances.

Is it a rookie move to straddle the bike, or is it valid/necessary at times? Sound off in the comments below!

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6 Comments

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Stinkfist Arizona // 2018
Mar 10, 2025

Since the invent of the dropper post, I never straddle the top tube when resting. I just drop it down low. During hike-a-bike, I always dismount for anything more than a few feet. For mount/dismount, I just swing my leg over the back like mounting a horse. Giddyup.

2 reply

Bontrager fan 1972 New South Wales // 2023
Mar 9, 2025

I straddle the top tube when mounting the bicycle . I don't have the strength anymore , to mount from the rear hopping onto the saddle . Also for fear of groin injury . I have osteoarthritis but once moving , I am a modest rider . I have a Factor Ostro 8 road bicycle , but don't use it anymore .

1 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Mar 9, 2025

Isn't aging grand?
I am in the post cancer treatment era and strength is a serious factor. Regaining strength and body mass is a slow road to recovery.

Retrac1107 North Carolina // 2025
Mar 9, 2025

I always dismount completely to walk the bike. I swing my leg over the back of the bike to mount it, and I either sit on the seat, or off the bike. Sometimes I'll spin the bars around and sit on the front wheel

0 reply

There is loads of room with my EnduroBMX that my bike can lurk under me.
As far as mounting, that varies since it is situational.
There is a very nice frame pad on the top tube for those trail rips that can lead to a knee smacking the top tube. Trialsy, pithy bike that happens to be full punkass!!

bonkedagain 2007
2 weeks ago

🤔 Is this really something people think about? Never crosses my mind.
BTW, I think the easiest way to mount or dismount a bike is to lay it on the ground. Just step over the bike and lift it up. Reverse for dismount. Okay, I guess some stand over clearance is needed for that. But, don't most modern bikes have lots of clearance?

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