Mountain biking is an exhilarating outdoor activity that has been gaining popularity recently. It involves riding bicycles on off-road terrains like rocky paths, steep inclines, and bumpy tracks.
One of the noticeable features of mountain bikes is the absence of a kickstand, a device that holds a bicycle upright when parked. This raises the question, “Why do mountain bikes not have a kickstand?”
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind the absence of kickstands in mountain bikes and why it’s not a problem.
Here is an article that I have written about MTB Maintenance: How To Fix Common Issues On The Trail?
What Are The Types Of Mountain Bike Kickstands?
Kickstands can be categorized into three types: Center-mount, Rear-mount, and Removable. Each of these has an explanation below.
Center Mount Kickstand
A traditional kickstand looks like this. It fits securely to the bike frame and won’t interfere with disc brakes or derailleurs. A twist lock adjusts the height of the stand, so it is suitable for bikes between 24″ and 29″.
Rear Mount Kickstand
The rear mount kickstand attaches further between the bike frame’s crank and rear hub. The stand can be used regardless of whether you have the bolt hole mentioned above. This makes it more versatile. Easily attached with three bolts, it fits 24″ and 28″ bikes.
Removable Kickstand
Attach the bracket to your rear hub, then attach the stand to your frame using the bracket-included tucks under the bottle holder. You can prop up your bike by simply sliding the stand into the bracket. It stands up all by itself.
Can I Put A Kickstand On My Mountain Bike?
The answer is yes, as long as the frame of your mountain bike has an opening for attaching the kickstand.
The first thing you need to do is find out whether or not there are any openings in the frame that correspond with where you would want to place the kickstand so that they are both at about eye level when looking down at them.
If there aren’t any corresponding openings, then this means that either:
- You have a different type of bicycle that doesn’t require a kickstand because it has gears or
- Your bike needs to be updated.
If you have found openings, the next step is to find a kickstand that will work with your bike size, as well as what type of bicycle it has (upright or cruiser). If you are still determining which one would be best for your needs, many different kinds of kickstands are available.
What Are The Advantages Of Having Mountain Bike Kickstands?
Convenience
Kickstands for mountain bikes are popular with bikers. A bike stand eliminates the need to lean your bike against a wall. You don’t have to lay it flat. Pedals and grips will not get scratched by touching any surface. You can stand your bike upright anywhere.
Stability
Your bike might fall when you park it. Parking against a wall may have been improper. People often walk past your bike and accidentally hit the grips or saddle. Kickstands solve this problem.
It provides stable parking when parked on a flat surface. Most double-leg kickstands have a rubber tip for grip and traction. Kickstands prevent it from moving by itself.
How To Choose The Perfect Kickstand For Your Mountain Bike?
Choosing the perfect kickstand for your mountain bike can be tricky. There are so many different styles and designs to choose from that it takes time to know which ones will work best with your specific bike. With this in mind, we have come up with three great options for you to consider when looking for a new kickstand.
Easy To Install And Remove:
Can you install the kickstand on your bike easily? If not, this is a big problem and should be considered.
Fits Securely With Your Bike:
How secure is it going to attach to your mountain bike frame? Is there any movement or swaying when you stand with the kickstand installed?
Compatible With Any Surface:
The kickstand should be compatible with any surface on which you’ll need to stand your bike. Avoid purchasing one designed only for pavement or dirt because this will limit where it can be used.
Not Too Expensive Or Hard To Find And Strong Enough For Heavy Mountain Bikes:
It needs to support the weight and size of your mountain bike without being too expensive or hard to find (or both). Ensure you get a kickstand that’s strong enough to support your bike but is manageable and easy to find.
A Good Match Aesthetically With Your Bike’s Style:
The kickstand style should be in sync with the look and feel of your mountain bike. You want it to blend well aesthetically without being much more expensive than necessary for your budget.
What Is The Reason For Mountain Bikes Not Having Kickstands?
- Mountain bikes are built to be light and robust. Bolting a kickstand on could cause the bike frame to become damaged, leading it less stable and maneuverable in rugged terrains like mud or sand.
- Mountain bikers try to remove as much weight as possible from their bikes to go faster. Some take it so far that they will not add anything else, even if the item would be beneficial for safety or comfort reasons.
- It is important to remember that your bike will be more dangerous if you crash. The kickstand could impale the rider when they hit a tree or other obstacle while biking on a trail, and there’s no guarantee it won’t slam down during an impact either. Imagine how much worse it would be if you were injured or killed because your bicycle’s kickstand broke during an accident.
- If the bike uses a kickstand and gets knocked over, there’s an increased risk of damage to its derailleur, brake levers, chain, and paint finish. This could happen if you don’t tighten up any loose bolts before putting your bicycle back together after removing the front wheel or something else that requires disassembling those parts on the frame first. Reassembling everything with undone loose bolts might cause severe pain down at their sleeve where they’re squeezing against your bike’s chainstays!
- There would be no kickstand on a mountain bike because the frame design needs to make space for one. Mountain bikes tend to have much more robust frames than regular bicycles because these types of bicycles are designed to carry heavier loads, and the frames need to be able to support the weight. One side effect is that there is little space for a kickstand within the frame.
- Mountain bikes don’t have kickstands because they need help to work when riding up and down steep slopes, roots, or rocks on uneven surfaces. The reason is that the bikes tend to bounce a lot when going over obstacles, and it can be difficult or even impossible to balance them at all times.
- There can be an obstacle for those riding their bikes with a child in the back. This is because when you’re on rough terrain, it’s impossible to kick your bike over and keep going (unless there’s someone else around to do so).
- The wheels on mountain bikes are generally larger than those of regular bicycles. This means that they take up more space when it comes to storing your bike, so if there were a kickstand attached to the frame of these types of bikes, it would get in the way and make storage difficult or impossible altogether.
- Mountain bikes don’t have any kickstands because they can make them unstable when riding on rough terrain. The bikes need to be balanced to stay upright, so a kickstand can make balancing the bike difficult or even impossible when on uneven surfaces like rocks or roots.
- No time to stop. There is no stopping in sight when you’re out on the trails. You can go for miles without needing a kickstand up hills and down hills, over rocks and roots. This will make the kickstand completely useless.
- Many off-road riders do not need a kickstand as they can lie their bike down on the ground or lean it against a tree. If anything goes wrong, that is what these people can do.
How To Park A Bike Without Kickstand: Tips And Tricks
- You can lean your bike against the wall by turning it upside down on its wheels to create a stand.
- You can rest your bike by leaning it against the wall or lying on its side flat on the floor.
- You can lean or rest the back wheel against something, like another bicycle, building wall, tree, etc., so that the front wheel is suspended in the air (this is most common).
- You can use any nearby bicycle rack that looks sturdy enough for your frame. Make sure you check first before putting too much pressure on them.
- You can park your bike on the ground and put a heavy object like a rock or brick in front of it to keep it from rolling away. You could also use an item with you, such as a backpack, briefcase, jacket, etc.
- One of the most creative ways is using your bike as an anchor for another bicycle by tying one end of the cable lock to your frame and then wrapping it around a pole, signpost, or another immovable object. You can use your bike’s front wheel as an anchor if you want something more secure.
- Fence bar hook: Get your bike super high by wedging it on the railing of a fence or any other barrier to hold up with its front wheel in the air.
- Lean your bike against the bike seat, which will also act as a support for it. Make sure to center its front wheel, so it doesn’t roll away from you because of an unbalanced weight distribution.
Are Double-Leg Bike Kickstands Better For Stability?
Double-leg kickstands are a great way to keep your bike upright, but they may need to work better with heavier bikes. If you have an extra-light frame or no cargo on the back of your bike, installing one might be beneficial for keeping balance and stability when parked in an area with high winds (or other environmental conditions).
Many riders who have used both kickstands find that dual-lug stands are better for stability because the weight distribution is more evenly distributed to each leg. They’re less likely to fold up if you park them on a sloped surface or uneven ground. They are also easier to install, so you can quickly take them on and off your bike.
One thing worth noting is that single-leg kickstands tend to fold up if parked on uneven surfaces or slopes. This can cause severe problems with balance and stability when you try to stand your bike back up again without using a second hand to steady it in place – so if these things concern you, go with something like a dual-lug stand.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Do All Mountain Bikes Lack Kickstands?
Yes, most mountain bikes do not have kickstands as a standard feature. However, some manufacturers offer optional kickstands that can be purchased separately and attached to the bike.
Can I Add A Kickstand To My Mountain Bike?
Yes, you can add a kickstand to your mountain bike, but it’s not recommended. Adding a kickstand can negatively impact the bike’s balance and maneuverability, making it less suitable for mountain biking.
Can I Lean My Mountain Bike Against A Tree Or Wall Instead Of Using A Kickstand?
Yes, leaning your mountain bike against a tree or wall is a common alternative to using a kickstand. However, you should ensure the bike is secure and won’t fall over before walking away.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mountain bikes do not have kickstands because they are designed to be lightweight, well-balanced, and maneuverable on rugged terrain. Kickstands add weight and imbalance to the cycle, making them less suitable for mountain biking.
Kickstands can interfere with freestyle riding, get caught on obstacles, and require additional maintenance.
Although some riders may find kickstands convenient, they are optional for mountain biking, and alternative bike parking methods are available.
Another post that will interest you is about the 10 Best Mountain Bike Sunglasses: Protect Your Eyes On MTB Riding.
