Parking your bike can be a real struggle sometimes, especially when there are no stands around to support your bike or if the street is all muddy and gloopy. Yuck! In this case, you need a special tool that can help you park your bike right ahead anywhere. A kickstand can be the hero here!
But can you add a kickstand to a bike anyway? Well, we’ll find that out here! This article will provide you with a clear idea about what a kickstand is, what it is used for, the types of kickstands available, how they can make your parking easier and smoother.
Seriously, installing a parking tool on your bike has never been easier!
What Is a Kickstand?
To cut to the chase, a kickstand is basically a really thin metal bar that is joined to a bike lying on a level plane when not being used. This kickstand can be, well, kicked (duh) into an upright position to help the vehicle stay in one position without tumbling over.
Kickstands can be made of either stainless steel material or heavy-duty cast aluminum. There might also be a rubber cap on the end on many occasions, which you can actually take off if it serves no purpose in what you want.
Such a tool can be secured either up or down in a few simple ways. The spring in it can be extended when the kickstand is partially bent or less extended, therefore allowing the tool to utilize its own spring mechanism to the fullest.
This kickstand is usually situated in the middle of a bike or towards the back. Some professional bikes have two kickstands installed, one at the back and a second in the front. While this does make the vehicle much heavier than it really is, it also means easier parking.
Types of Kickstands
In general, there are two types of kickstands. One is a side stand style kickstand, while the other is a middle stand style kickstand. Another tool that goes by the name of a“Flick-stand” can also somewhat fall within the category of a kickstand, mainly because of bearing almost the same application as the former tool.
Side-Stand Style Kickstand
This kickstand comes with only one leg that can easily be flipped towards the side (either right or left).
Generally, what this kickstand method does is create a point of alignment, which allows the bike to lean without falling to the ground. The best thing here is that aside stand can simply be installed to the bracket on the chain of your bike.
As a result, you can install it from either the bottom of the bracket or from the left side.
The reason why a side-stand styled kickstand is so convenient is due to how fast it can be installed. All you have gotta do is clasp it firmly, and everything will fall into place naturally.
Middle-Stand Style Kickstand
On the other hand, we have a middle-stand kickstand. This equipment style basically works like a limb for the bike, which you can easily just flip over in order to raise the rear tire from the surface it is on.
A middle-stand kickstand is usually attached to the chain-stays (also known as “stays” for short), which lies right behind the bracket on the bottom. This “stays” helps create a connection between the BB and the middle of the rear-wheel.
Numerous bikes highlight middle stands along with side stands, as this type of stand is more versatile for different bikes. The middle stand also takes a good amount of pressure off of the bike itself, therefore creating more stability and balance on the vehicle. It also reduces maintenance requirements by number.
Middle stands are generally found on touring and standard, commercial bikes but are, however, discarded from most elite sport-bikes to preserve weight and also maximize clearance on the ground.
Flick-Stand
Lastly, we have the flick-stand, which has a little bracket that can simply be pushed towards the tube below. This stand helps to keep the front tire from rotating unnecessarily. And this more or less enables the bike to be secured in an inclined position, therefore ensuring the user that the bike will not fall down, no matter what.
Why Do Bikes Not Have Kickstands?
Usually, bikes designed for commercial usage or those with gears do not come with a kickstand. There are quite a few reasons behind this important tool not being included as a significant feature of a bike.
Firstly, not every biker prefers a kickstand on their vehicle. This is because a kickstand ruins the aesthetic and the richness of the model and is not necessary as long as you are comfortable with leaning the bike on the ground or along with an object as support when you get down from it.
Besides, such a tool is also not appropriate for every road or street as it can easily get hooked onto a spoke, thus causing barriers or accidents while riding the bike.
Secondly, a kickstand asserts additional weight to the bike. Professional bikers always prefer less weight in their bikes in order to maximize efficiency and increase speed.
Thirdly, something as heavy as a kickstand can also cause accidents, in case it slips and collides with the ground while the cyclist pedals. Other than that, this tool can even be really high-maintenance, as it can get loose from time to time and might require to be tightened for usage.
Can a Kickstand Be Added to a Bike?
Now, let us clear up the doubts of whether you can add a kickstand to a bike. The answer to that is yes, you absolutely can! If you really think that there is a necessity of adding a kickstand to your bike in regard to parking, then sure, go ahead and get one.
But you have to make sure your bike contains enough brackets on the bar for the kickstand to fit into. And if not, then you might have to install it by the rear bracket of the bike.
Also, make sure to check whether fitting the kickstand either at the center or at the backside of the bike will be more convenient and efficient for smoother parking.
Read More: Best Mountain Bike Kickctand Reviews
Which Kickstand Will Be Best for Your Bike?
Now that you know that you can add a kickstand to your bike, the issue that arises is selecting the model that will be best for your vehicle.
For that, at first, you need to check the measurements and the positions of the brackets on the bar of your bike.
If there are enough brackets at the center to fit the kickstand, then simply just holding the bike upright while tilting it a bit towards the left will allow you to know what type of kickstand will be the most compatible for the vehicle, as you will have to measure the distance between the bracket and the ground from the center.
When it comes to deciding which type of kickstand to go for, know that a middle stand-style might ruin the outlook of your bike, but it will help your vehicle stand perpendicularly upright to the ground with more ease.
However, if you think there isn’t a necessity to keep the bike completely perpendicular to the ground, and it is fine if it remains a little tilted, then simply go for a side stand-style kickstand, as it is much easier to flip and park.
Also, when installing the kickstand to your bike, consider taking off the rubber bottom completely unless you are okay with the thing getting all muddy and dirty. Ew. Just take it off!
How to Insert a Kickstand to a Bike?
The only question that remains right now is how to actually insert a kickstand into a bike, so let’s solve this by following some simple steps.
- Select a Position
First, you need to select the position of the bike (either at the center or at the back gear) where you intend to insert the kickstand. For this, you should bring the kickstand near to the bracket on the bar to measure if it is wide enough for the tool to fit in.
- Insert the Bolt
Next, all you want to do is simply insert the bolt through the top kickstand bracket and then through the hole in the frame bracket and into the main part of the kickstand. Finally, screw it in with a nut driver.
After that, check if you can move it upwards from the side and if flipping it is hard work or not. If not, congratulations! You’ve installed a kickstand by yourself with success!
You can see that adding a kickstand to a bike is a piece of cake. All you need is to measure the distance between the ground and the center bracket, find the right tool that compliments your vehicle, and install it! Pretty neat, right?
Conclusion
So, can you add a kickstand to a bike? Well, now you know it’s possible! Whether you’re a newbie at parking a bike or have been acing it since day one, it doesn’t hurt to invest in a good kickstand to make your parking easier and smoother. We genuinely hope you found this article informative enough and that it’ll assist you in adding a kickstand to your own bike later. Take care and ride on!
Related Articles:
