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Can You Sit on a BMX Bike? (Explained!)

BMX stands for Bicycle Motocross. If you’re someone who is into racing and stunt riding, you have probably come across these kinds of bikes.

These bikes can withstand loads as opposed to other kinds of bikes and are also capable of navigating through challenging pathways. Although mostly used standing up, they can be also used to travel by sitting.

Can you sit on a BMX bike?

BMX bikes are specially made for stunt riding or racing—they are mostly used standing up. However, with a little adjustment to the saddle, it can be used to commute long distances by sitting. Additionally, covering the seat with thick padding will make it more comfortable for you to sit on!

As mentioned above, yes you can sit on a BMX bike. The trick is to raise the seat (as BMX seats are usually very low) till it is in a position that allows you to sit comfortably.

It might take a few tries to get the position of the seat to exactly where you want, but once you do you’ll be able to travel long routes with utmost ease.

However, if adjusting the position of your seat does not help you, then you might consider getting a different sized or type of BMX seat.

There are different types of seats availableIntegrated, standard, pivotal, railed, and tripod. However, the easiest seats to adjust at home are the pivotal seats which are why they are most commonly used nowadays.

Can you ride a BMX sitting down?

BMX bike can be ridden sitting down. However, certain adjustments to the seat will have to be made to the seat (which can be easily done by the user at home).

The seats are usually made from hard plastic and covered with a thin layer of foam which may make it uncomfortable for most people to sit on while riding. To increase comfort levels, you may want to buy seats with thick padding or invest in gel bike seat covers.

Why are seats so low on BMX bikes?

BMX bikes are usually used by stunt performers or people that are into similar things as part of their leisure time activity. The low seats essentially enable the user to maneuver their body more freelythis is important when performing dangerous stunts or racing.

Since the seats are low, the rider has a lower center of gravity, meaning he/she has more control over their body as opposed to when they are riding normal bikes.

How high should BMX seats be?

This is completely a personal preference. It will depend upon whether the rider is doing tricks or stunts, racing. There are several “BMX Bike Saddle height calculators” available on the internet. Search it up on Google, enter your details and the calculator will determine the seat height which will cater to your needs the most.

You can try the link given below to measure the seat height for one’s height.

https://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/saddle-height/bmx-bike/

Even after that, some alterations might be needed to achieve the maximum comfort level for you.

Can you raise the seat on a BMX bike?

The seat on a BMX bike can be raised.

The adjustable seat feature is helpful as it enables the stunt performers or riders to position the seats in such a way that they can perform their activities easily.

The recent BMX bike models all use a pivotal seat which is very comfortable and flexible to use. The seats can be raised and lowered with simple tools at home.

There are tons of tutorials on Youtube that can be followed to raise or lower the seat to your preference.

How to raise BMX seat height?

Raising a BMX seat height is fairly simple.

The only tools you will need are Allen wrenches.

That being said, here are the (easy) steps you should follow to raise your BMX bike seat:

Loosen your seat clamp:

To do this, simply insert your Allen wrench into the clamp and turn the wrench counterclockwise.

Note to be taken: Not all seat clamps are built into the seat, some are external. However, the same step concept applies to those types of seats too.

Once you get the clamp loose, you should be able to move your seat up, down, and side by side easily.

Adjust your seat angle:

At the top of the seat, there is a slot or a slit. Insert your Allen wrench through this gap gently. Move your wrench around in the slit and rotate it to find a way to adjust the bolt inside.

This step might take time and get a little exhausting. Once the bolt is found, however, things get simple. Now again, rotate the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the screw-up.

Note to be taken: make sure the bolt is loose enough, so you do not rip off any plastic or other parts while adjusting your seat.

After this step is completed, you should be able to adjust the seat to any angle you wish!

Get to desired height and angle:

Once the bolts and clamps are loosened, you will have to find the position you desire for your seat to be in.

Raise the saddle or seat stand to the position where you want it to be. Then take your Allen wrench and insert it into the clamp. But this time, rotate the wrench in a clockwise direction to tighten it.

Afterward, adjust your seat angle as well by moving it to the position you want it to be in. adjusting the direction, take your Allen wrench and insert it into the slot to find the bolt.

Once found, move your wrench clockwise to fasten the bolt and tighten the seat to its place.

Now you are ready to enjoy your newly raised seat!

How to lower BMX seats?

The steps to lower your seat are exactly the sameonly changes will be made in the third step.

In the third step,lower the saddle or seat stand to the position where you want it to be.

Then take your allen wrench and insert it into the clamp. But this time rotate the wrench in a clockwise direction to tighten it.

Afterward, adjust your seat angle as well by moving it to the position you want it to be in. adjusting the direction, take your allen wrench and insert it into the slot to find the bolt. Once found, move your wrench clockwise to fasten the bolt and tighten the seat to its place.

What is a BMX pivotal seat?

Pivotal bikes are the most commonly used seats for BMX bikes nowadays.

It was first introduced in the market by the MacNeil company and the idea was licensed to other firms such as Redline and Eclat in the industry.

A pivotal seat consists of a few parts—the seat stand has a sequence of bolts or adjustment grooves and the seat lies on it. The bolts can be easily loosened and tightened to adjust the height and angle of the seat.

The stand and the seat are strongly attached with a single bolt that passes through the top of the seat.

These seats are very advantageous as they are heavy, durable, and strong for which they last a long time. Additionally, the seat height and angle can be changed to maximize your comfort whether you are riding to do stunts or racing or just using it to take a stroll around the city!

Although pivotal seats are expensive compared to other kinds, it is worth the money in the long run.

Why are BMX seats slanted/tilted?

The angle at which the saddle or seat is tilted is crucial to prevent injury and enable the user to ride with contentment.

As mentioned already BMX bikes are mostly used by stunt performers or racers who cycle in difficult areas or positions which most people do not.

Therefore it is important to have slanted seats to allow them to maintain their balance and posture—this prevents them from sliding up or down their seats. If the seat could only be adjusted to one angle it would cause hindrance to the rider while performing his/her activities.

The angle at which the rider decides to position his/her seat is completely a personal preference and can be found out with trial.

What angle should my bike seat be at?

If the seat is perpendicular to the bicycle handle in a neutral position, the rider should be careful to position the body in such a way to ensure he/she is as close to the seat as possible to prevent any sort of injury.

When riding uphill, a rider must adjust his seat so it is slanting downwards. This helps relieve pressure on the lower hip and genital area, allowing the rider to navigate comfortably.

When riding downhill, a rider should adjust his seat slanting upwards. This helps the rider pivot to his/her position and not slide forwards while going down.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are BMX bikes good for wheelies?

Are BMX bikes good for cruising?

Are BMX bikes good for commuting?

Are BMX bikes good for exercise?

Are BMX bikes good for mountain biking?

Are BMX bikes good for dirt jumping?

Are BMX bikes good for off road?