Mountain biking is a great activity that allows you to enjoy nature and get some exercise. Unlike other types of bikes, many mountain bikes don’t have kickstands.
If you are wondering why mountain bikes don’t have kickstands or have related questions about kickstands, keep some of these points in mind.
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Why Don’t Mountain Bikes Have Kickstands?
Why don’t most mountain bikes have kickstands? Well, there are many reasons why a kickstand just doesn’t work with a mountain bike.
Light Frame
Many high-end mountain bikes are made with very light frames. Lower-end bikes may also be sold without a kickstand.
This allows riders to have more control and makes it easier to pedal over various types of terrain. The light frame could easily be damaged by a heavy kickstand, so most mountain bikes simply don’t have them to avoid causing damage to the bike.
Too Heavy
Kickstands are heavy and slightly bulky because they need to be strong in order to support the bike.
Since mountain biking is easier with a lighter mountain bike, manufacturers tend to leave off the kickstands because they add weight and interfere with the weight distribution and ground clearance.
The extra weight would make the mountain bike harder to pedal and steer and would reduce the performance of the mountain bike and the overall experience.
Safety Issues
Mountain biking is safe as long as you pay close attention to the terrain conditions, but accidents do happen. A bike stand or kick stand would make biking more dangerous.
The kickstand could break off and get caught in the rear wheel or even hit and scratch cyclists if they have an accident during the ride. The added weight also means the bike would cause more damage if it fell on top of the rider.
Balance Issues
You will need to be able to ride the bike on various types of terrain, including soft areas. If one side of a trail or road is softer than the other, the kickstand could pull the weight of the bike to one side.
The bike size may not be large enough to shift the weight back and the bike could be more likely to flip or fall over while the bike is moving.
Unnecessary
Your mountain bike does not really need a kickstand. Most mountain bikers know that they will be riding on trails and in places where the bikes won’t be able to be parked anyway.
Your bike can be laid down on the ground, and as long as you do so gently, you shouldn’t cause any damage. There’s really no need to add a kickstand to your bike if it’s not necessary.
Similarly, most road bikers don’t have kickstands on their road bikes either.
Can You Buy Kickstands for Mountain Bikes?
If you want to get a bike stand for your mountain bike, you can buy one and have it added to the bike. Mountain bikers can order the kickstand online or from a shop and have it attached to the bike by a professional.
If you are familiar with mountain bikes and you want to stop your bike falling over whenever you get off for a break, you can attach the kickstand to the mountain bike yourself. You can also take the mountain bike to a local bike shop and have it attached to the bike.
Most mountain bikers choose to work on their bikes themselves so they know what bike stands they are using and can make sure they fit the bike frame and keep the bike upright when it is parked.
When Should You Use Kickstands on Mountain Bikes?
If you think bike stands would make mountain bike riding more enjoyable, you can add one. Mountain bike kickstands work best on certain types of mountain bikes and in certain situations.
Bicycle Parking
If you are someone who has a commuter bike and rides your mountain bike to work or to run errands, you may need to park your bike often. In these cases, it would make sense to use MTB kickstands.
While there are parking areas that allow you to lean the front wheel of the bike against a rack, it is nice to have other options for your bike so you can park it anywhere you choose.
Long Trails
If you are going to be taking your bike on a long trail, you might need to take a lot of breaks and a kickstand will help keep your bike standing when you rest.
The kickstand can be very useful when you don’t want to drop your bike on the ground but there’s nowhere to lean your bike on the trails. Most bikes will do fine with a kickstand.
Safety
If you are worried that riding your bike without a kickstand could be unsafe, it might give you more peace of mind if you instal a kickstand. Some people also have balance issues when they aren’t riding and aren’t able to keep it up if they aren’t moving.
Bicycles can be heavy and hard to steady, so if you aren’t physically able to stand your bike up on your own, you might want to add a kickstand to make the bicycle safer.
Age
Some younger mountain bikers may need to use a kickstand for their bikes. This is a good option for those who need help keeping their bicycle upright when it’s not moving or for those who can’t reach the ground to stand the bike up on their own.
Little kids may not be able to steady their bikes and put both feet on the ground to hold them up. Kickstands will give them a little more stability and help protect the paint finish and overall frame of the bike.
Type of Cycling
There are many different types of cyclers and every rider has to decide if he/she wants a kickstand or not. The type of trail you ride on and how often you rest can also help you decide if kickstands are right for you.
If you race your mountain bike, you may not need to lean it on a kickstand as often. When you stop racing or have ridden to the finish line, you can simply lean your bike on a tree or wall.
If you do more casual cycling and take breaks often, and you don’t want to lay your brand new bike on the ground, a MTB kickstand may be the right option for you.
What Happens if Your Bike Doesn’t Have a Kickstand?
If your bike doesn’t have a kickstand, you can add one yourself. Kickstands are typically installed in front of the rear axle so they are not near the disc brakes and have no chance of getting caught in the derailleur.
You will also need to be aware of the pedals during installation. It’s easy to install the kickstand in one position and forget to check if it will rub up against the pedals or derailleur when it is in another position.
You should be sure that your kickstand is the right length so it fits the bicycle when it is up and down.
Ideas for Storing Your Mountain Bike Safely Without a Kickstand
If you aren’t planning to put a bike kickstand on your bicycle, you can still find other ways to keep it safe and upright. Some cyclists have to get creative and find innovative ways to lean their bikes or keep them standing upright.
Lean It
You may be able to lean your bicycle on a tree or another obstacle on a trail. If you can’t find a tree, look for a rock, wall, or any structure that will keep your bike upright and make sure it doesn’t crash to the ground.
Handlebar Hanger
You can also hang your bike by the handlebar with a rope or ribbon. You can even use a bicycle cable to secure it to a wall or bicycle rack.
This will help support the bike when you lean it on a wall that is not sturdy enough or big enough to hold the bicycle. You can also hang it from a top tube on the bike if needed.
Prop It
If you can’t lean the bike or hang it from the handlebars, you may need to prop it up. Some riders prop their bikes up with a large rock or stick.
You can also find things that will hold up the handlebars to support the bike. When you prop the bike you should always make sure it is secure and won’t be able to fall and injure someone standing nearby and that it won’t crash and fall and get damaged.
Conclusion
If you enjoy riding mountain bikes and don’t want to lean your bike against something or lay it down in the dirt, you may need to add a kickstand to it. This can help prevent your bike from crashing to the ground unexpectedly.
However, bear in mind that if you told serious bikers that you rode around with a kickstand, they would find it laughable. So if you want to look cool, think about it carefully. (This applies to a road bike as well.)
So, before you add a kickstand, make sure to think about the type of bike you have and how often you use it. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference and whether it’s a big deal to you that you don’t have to rest your bike on anything.