Making your way through the meanders of a mountain using your bike is a blast; you feel like you’re on top of the world. Being on a mountain, that’s literally the case and not just an expression.
However, in mountain biking, gravity isn’t on your side; it forces your muscles to put far more effort than you’d ordinarily do for the bike to move.
Here, fatigue kicks in. Care for a breather? Of course! But wait a minute, do mountain bikes have kickstands so I can park my bike? Let’s see!
Do Mountain Bikes Come With a Kickstand?
No, most mountain bikes come without a kickstand these days. That doesn’t mean you can’t ask the seller to install one for you, though. You can also buy a kickstand separately and fix it on the bicycle afterward.
Why Don’t Mountain Bikes Have Kickstands?
There’s a bunch of reasons for that, so let’s quickly walk you through them.
Not Much Room for Rest
For starters, mountain biking is a sport with no stops. Meaning, most mountain bikers navigate the rough trails in a continuous stream of effort; you can think of it as some high-intensity cardio training, where there’s little room for rest.
No Actual Need For a Kickstand
Even when exhaustion sits in, laying the bike on the ground or leaning it against the tree is no big deal. So, mountain bikes no longer come with a kickstand—simply because there’s no need for it.
Injury to the Rider
Kickstands can be a threat. Mountain biking is a rough ride, so there’s a chance of falling over. In such a scenario, a kickstand can scratch or even be driven into the leg of the rider if he falls on its side. Not a pretty sight, I can tell you that much!
Increases the Chances of Falling
A kickstand itself can be the cause of falling. With the high intensity and speed, a kickstand may be lowered on its own while you’re riding. This will cause a sudden drop in speed.
Added Weight
Kickstands defeat the purpose of mountain biking. Usually, mountain bikers pay lots of money so they can get the lightest yet highest-performing bicycle possible. So, it won’t make sense to actually pay money to weigh the bike down after you’ve paid a sizable sum to get it lightweight.
Damages the Frame
Aside from being an added weight, a kickstand can also damage the frame of the mountain bike. These bikes have lightweight frames so they can float like a butterfly. Having a kickstand clamped to the frame, this thing can sting the bike like a bee!
When Will I Need a Kickstand for My Mountain Bike?
You’ll need a kickstand if you’re a beginner who needs to stop for a breather many times. Frequently stopping and laying the bike on the ground will make it pick up lots of dirt, so a kickstand may actually come in handy.
In this case, a trail map will help you identify potential spots where you can rest. Studying the trail before setting out to blaze it is an important safety measure, as it’ll prewarn you of any dangerous slopes.
You may also need a kickstand if you use the bike on paved roads and not strictly for the mountains.
That being said, if you know how to park your bike correctly without using a kickstand, you may forget the idea of installing one in the first place.
How to Park Your Mountain Bike Without a Kickstand?
To do so, you can either lay it on the ground or lean it against a tree. I have a couple of tips for you regarding both possibilities.
Laying Your Bike on the Ground
The essential factor to consider when laying your bike on the ground is the derailleur or the drivetrain at large. That’s as you can accidentally damage it while putting the bike down.
The drivetrain is also liable to pick up dirt in the process, and allowing dirt in the drivetrain is akin to sticking a spoke in the wheel.
To protect the derailleur, you should always lay the bike on the other side of it. Just make the derailleur face the other side from you and step backward, slowly lowering the bicycle until it lays flat on the ground.
Leaning Your Bike on Something
Leaning your bike against something may seem fairly simple, yet there are more than a handful of ways to do it. Let’s mention a few!
Handlebar Lean
Here, you use the handlebar as the only point of contact with the wall. Upsides? This method can be done quickly without too much adjusting. Downsides? There’s a risk that your bike may fall if a gust of wind came its way. That’s why this method is only used by either beginners or people with cheaper bikes.
Seat Rest
In this method, the saddle will be the only point of contact with the wall. Like the previous one, it’s not completely safe, putting your seat at risk of getting scratched.
Front Rear Combination
This is the combination of the two previous methods, with both the seat and handlebar serving as contact points. It’s mostly safe unless your parking spot lies on a hill.
Fence Bar Hook
This is where you hook your handlebar on a railing or fence. Done right, it can be both stable and also a flex among other cyclists.
In case all of these methods aren’t to your liking, and your mind is still set on using a kickstand, allow me to tell you about the best kickstand in the market.
What Is the Best Kickstand for My Mountain Bike?
BV bike kickstand is the optimal kickstand for road, mountain, and also BMX bikes. Thanks to its aluminum construction, this kickstand can withstand the rigors of mountain biking. At the same time, its weight is only 3.5 ounces, so that it won’t weigh you down.
What’s more, this kickstand won’t damage the sensitive frame of your mountain bike. It features a protective plastic grip inside the clamp that attaches the kickstand to the bike.
Final Words
Mountain biking is no walk in the park. That’s why beginners feel the need to park the bike, rest, and catch their breath. So, they found themselves asking, “do mountain bikes have kickstands?”
As it turns out, these bikes don’t have to have kickstands. With a gazillion ways to park your bike at your disposal and the fact that a kickstand can do you a disservice, parking your bike kickstand-free may be best.
However, there are some carefully manufactured kickstands out there, like the BV bike kickstand, that spare you a lot of hassle. So, what are you waiting for? The mountain is calling!