Every novice who has just entered the cycling pit may have wondered in his heart: Why don't bicycles have kickstands installed when they leave the factory?
Some topics are like lighting a powder keg when they are discussed, such as "Is there any point in mountain horse party", "Which is better, disc brake or V brake", and today's topic "Should bicycles have kickstands?" Both those who support and those who oppose the installation of kickstands have their own arguments, which confuses the novice and makes them worry: Who should I listen to?
Today, we will not take sides. Let's take a good look at the nine reasons for "not installing kickstands" to see if they are really reasonable. In the end, you decide whether to install it or not!
1. It affects the appearance too much, and the appearance party cannot accept it
Installing a kickstand on a bicycle, especially on a carbon fiber road bike, is simply a "fashion disaster." Imagine that you spent tens of thousands of dollars to carefully build a lightweight road bike, but ended up installing a footrest on it. This scene is simply unbearable to watch.
Some riders complained: "If I go out with a footrest, I'm embarrassed to say hello to my teammates. They will definitely laugh at me for being a fake rider!"
In the minds of many riders, footrests are completely unrelated to "professionalism", so the appearance party directly passes the footrests
2. There are great safety hazards and the risk of falling off the bike is rising sharply
When riding in a road bike team, rear-end collisions are not uncommon. If the front car is equipped with a footrest and the front wheel of the rear car is accidentally stuck in it, the consequences can be disastrous. At the least, the car will overturn, and at the worst, fractures and injuries will occur. If you ride in the mountains, the situation will be even worse. The mountain environment is complex, and the footrests can easily hook tree roots or vines.
Some riders have shared their painful experiences: "The mountain road was very bumpy. After the footrest was loose, it caught on a rock and I flew out. Fortunately, nothing serious happened."
For this reason, safety comes first. The risk factor of footrests is indeed a bit high.
3. In the eyes of weight loss party, one more gram is too much.
For those enthusiasts who pursue extreme lightweight, in order to reduce the weight of the car, they would rather gain ten pounds than let the car weigh one gram more. In their eyes, footrests are like "a flood and a beast". A rider cried on the forum: "I spent thousands of dollars to replace carbon handlebars and titanium screws just to reduce the weight of the car by a few hundred grams, but a footrest weighs two pounds. Isn't this directly making my previous efforts go to waste!"
In fact, the weight of an ordinary footrest is about 200-500 grams. For these riders who are extremely enthusiastic about lightweight, it is indeed "unforgivable".
4. Feeling sorry for the frame and afraid of being damaged by the footrest
If you install a footrest on a bicycle with an aluminum alloy frame, the bicycle will bump during riding, and the footrest will easily rub off the paint on the frame, or even hit the frame. Bicycles with carbon fiber frames are even worse. The rear fork is so slender and fragile. If you clamp a footrest on it, you are really worried that it will directly deform or even break the frame.
5. There are many ways to park, and the footrest seems redundant
The imagination of riders is quite big. There are many ways to park. You can park against the wall, against the tree, and you can also rely on teammates to help support. If it doesn't work, just let the bike lie on the ground. So everyone thinks that the footrest is completely redundant.
Some people joked: "Installing a footrest is like putting a 'falling spell' on the bike, and it will fall faster!"
6. The luggage is too heavy and the footrest can't support it
If you are riding long distances, the rack is full of various equipment. At first, the footrest may be able to barely support it, but after a long time, it will be bent like a noodle and can't support the bike at all.
7. Do it on your own will, just don't want to install it
Some riders simply don't want to install kickstands, for no particular reason. They will say: "I don't want to install it, what's your business?" Opposing riders will also retort: "I want to install it, what's wrong with that?" This kind of argument is sometimes just a matter of arguing, and no one can convince anyone. In the final analysis, whether to install a kickstand is sometimes a matter of personal attitude.
8. The wallet doesn't allow it, and I can't afford it
Some riders joked: "In order to assemble this bike, my family's assets are almost emptied. The front fork, wheels, and kit are all top-notch. How can I have money to buy a kickstand?" This sounds a bit exaggerated, but many new riders who have just entered the pit really have such troubles.
9. Habits are hard to change, and I don't want to install a kickstand
Some old riders have been riding bicycles for more than ten years, and have never installed a kickstand. They have long been accustomed to the way of parking by the side of the road. If they suddenly install a kickstand, they will feel awkward and unnecessary. They will also say: "Footrest? That's for rookies, veterans rely on skills to park!"
To install or not, it's up to you
After reading these nine reasons, do you think "not installing a kickstand" makes sense?
In fact, there is no absolute right or wrong to install a kickstand, the key is to look at your actual needs.
If you are riding a performance-oriented road or mountain bike, it may be better to remove the kickstand for the overall performance and appearance of the bike; if you are riding a commuter or touring bike, and want to save trouble when parking, there is no problem with installing a kickstand.
