BMX bikes are pure thrill machines built for stunts, jumps, and speed. With their stripped-down frames, could a humble kickstand even fit into the equation? Let’s kick the tires on the kickstand’s role on BMX bikes.
BMX bikes are the ultimate thrill machines. With their aggressive geometry and lightweight construction, BMX bikes are built to catch big air, race at breakneck speeds, and stick heart-stopping tricks.
These bikes represent pure riding freedom and rebellion against the ordinary. But there’s one thing conspicuously missing from most BMX bikes – the humble kickstand.
While kickstands provide a convenient way to park upright when running errands around town, they add precious ounces to the bike’s weight. And for BMX riders chasing every edge of performance, unnecessary weight is the mortal enemy.
BMX bikes stripped to the absolute basics embody a minimalist, function-over-form philosophy. If it doesn’t directly improve power, handling, or control, it has no place on a dedicated BMX bike.
This spartan approach gives BMX bikes their raw, thrilling character. But it can leave casual riders scratching their heads when parking at the grocery store.
This article kicks the tires on the contentious kickstand, its absence on most BMX bikes, and whether casual riders can have the best of both worlds. Read on to unravel the mysteries behind the kickstand-less BMX bike!
Why Go Kickstand-Less? Reasons BMX Bikes Forgo This Part
Kickstands add precious ounces to bike weight and can interfere with aggressive riding. Here are the key reasons BMX designers often show kickstands the door:
Saving Those Grams
Every gram counts when acceleration and air time are key. The minimalist BMX philosophy favors spartan bikes with only the essential parts. For many riders, kickstands don’t make the cut.
Eliminating Snag Points
Protruding parts like kickstands can catch on clothes, shoes, or terrain during stunts. This leads to crashes and injuries. Smoothing out contact points is crucial for technical riding.
Preventing Detachment
The forces of hardcore riding can cause kickstands to fold or break off. This failure while bombing hills or pulling tricks puts riders in danger. One less part means one less failure point.
Improving Ground Clearance
Even a few millimeters of extra clearance can make a difference in grinding rails or climbing ledges. Kickstands hanging below the frame reduce that precious space between the bike and the ground.
Optimizing Lean Angle
Kickstands positioned too far inboard limit how far bikes can lean when carving. For BMX riders pushing the edge of traction, restricted lean angles are unacceptable.
Amplifying Agility
Quick handling is essential for navigating skatepark features and racetrack berms. Excess weight blunts acceleration and maneuverability – two key BMX traits.
Enhancing Style
BMX bikes aren’t just high-performance tools, they’re style statements. For many riders, a kickstand-less bike’s minimalist, purpose-driven aesthetic just looks faster and edgier.
Do You Really Need Kickstands for BMX Riding?
Casual bike kickstands provide handy parking support but are largely incompatible with intense BMX riding. Still, some alternatives provide parking help when needed:
- Upside-down pedals act as impromptu kickstands when folded up under the frame.
- Rear wheel stands allow the leaning of the bike against the stabilized back wheel.
- Portable stands prop up the bike for support but don’t attach to the frame.
- Bike racks and posts offer places to conveniently lean and lock the bike.
- Walls and fences substitute for kickstands in a pinch around towns.
- Trees and rocks in natural settings can support parked bikes.
With creative parking solutions, BMX bikes can stand securely without compromising performance or aesthetics. Pro riders may scoff, but casual riders can enjoy the best of both worlds.
BMX Bike Features That Deliver Stability
BMX designers have options beyond kickstands to keep bikes upright when needed. Integrated frame shapes and components add stability:
- Low-top tubes allow easy mounting/dismounting and prevent toppling.
- Compact wheelbases centralize mass between wheels.
- Wide handlebars give greater steering leverage for balancing.
- Knobby tires and platform pedals grip surfaces when stopped.
- Stout frames made from chromoly or aluminum resist flexing.
- Low seat post heights lower centers of gravity.
- Front-biased weight distributions resist accidental wheelies.
Essential Parts That Define a True BMX Bike
When prioritizing only the key components, here are the pillars of BMX bike construction:
Robust Frames
BMX frames take punishment from stunts and crashes. Materials like chromoly steel, heat-treated aluminum, and carbon fiber withstand years of abuse.
Powerful Brakes
Linear-pull brakes offer BMX riders tremendous stopping power with minimal weight. Hydraulic disc brakes are also famous for their reliability in all conditions.
Knobby Tires
Grippy, wide BMX tires provide traction on loose dirt for controlling drifts and sticking landings. Pegs can be added to tires for grind tricks.
Cassette Hubs
Multiple gear ratios allow tuning acceleration and pedaling cadence. Cassette hubs are lighter than internal gear hubs popular on other bike types.
Street Treads
Treaded tires designed specifically for concrete and asphalt help grip skatepark surfaces. Softer compounds provide extra adhesion without quick wear.
Simple Cranks
One or three-piece cranks transfer power from the pedals to the rear wheel efficiently. Higher-end spindles and arms save weight without sacrificing strength.
Accessories to Enhance BMX Performance
While not essential, these bicycle parts complement BMX bikes for competition, customization, and style:
- Number plates identify racers and color-coordinate bikes.
- BMX pedals optimize grip with texture and concave shapes.
- Rotors provide braking power and styling for trick bikes.
- Pegs extend from axles for grinding rails and ledges.
- Grips allow custom colors and materials for rider preferences.
- Handlebars distribute body weight and absorb impacts.
- Sprockets transfer pedal rotation into wheel speed.
- Chains withstand dirt and stress from pedaling forces.
- Headsets facilitate precise steering via handlebars.
- Saddles provide seating with minimal bulk.
Should I Put a Kickstand on My BMX Bike?
Adding kickstands to BMX bikes involves tradeoffs. Consider how you use your bike:
Kickstand Benefits
- Easy parking without bike racks
- Prevent accidental drops while mounting/dismounting
- Convenience for quick stops around town
Kickstand Drawbacks
- Extra weight hampers acceleration and handling
- Can snag on objects or terrain while riding
- Limits lean angle for carving corners
- potential weak point that can break off
For casual riding and transportation, kickstands can be helpful. But for competitive and aggressive BMX, going kickstand-less optimizes performance. Choose what works best for your priorities and riding style.
Creative BMX Bike Storage Without Kickstands
Kickstand alternatives allow you to keep your BMX bike secure and upright:
- Bike stands and racks: Floor-mounted stands support bikes in garages and sheds. Racks hook onto walls and ceilings.
- Hanging hooks: Strong rubber-coated hooks on walls or rafters let you hang bikes by the front wheel when not riding.
- Improvised bike supports: Tree limbs, timbers, and spare pipes can prop up bikes in sheds and yards when no stand is available.
- Old bike frame: Mount an old bike frame sideways on a wall as an impromptu hanger for parking your BMX bike.
- Vertical bike rack: Mount a used bike frame on its end and hang your current bike from the seatpost or handlebars.
With a dose of creativity, you can store your kickstand-less BMX bike securely. Avoid leaning it precariously against fences and risking dings or dents during gusts of wind.
Kickstand Pros and Cons for BMX Performance
Kickstands seem convenient, but how do they impact BMX bike handling?
Kickstand Advantages
- Allow parking bike upright without rack or post
- Can help prevent tipping over while mounting/dismounting
- Enable temporary parking for errands around town
- Let you make adjustments without holding the bike upright
Kickstand Disadvantages
- Extra weight, even just a few ounces, slows acceleration
- Can catch on the terrain if extended while riding
- Limits bike lean angle for cornering if mounted too far inboard
- Creates potential failure points that can break off
- Not as aesthetically clean for hardcore bike styles
Weigh how kickstands align with your riding priorities. Casual riders may favor parking convenience, while pros forego every last gram of weight.
How Stable Are BMX Bikes Without Kickstands?
While kickstands provide parking stability, BMX bike geometry delivers self-supporting balance:
- Low-top tubes allow planting both feet firmly on the ground when stopped.
- Compact wheelbases keep weight centered over both tires.
- Wide riser handlebars allow steering leverage to balance.
- Sticky rubber tires and grippy platform pedals resist sliding out.
- Durable frames prevent flexing under body weight shifts.
- Low seat post heights drop the center of gravity nearer the ground.
- Forward-biased weight distribution resists accidental wheelies.
With practice, well-designed BMX bikes can be quite stable when stopped – no kickstand needed. The slow-speed technique goes a long way.
The Final Verdict: Do BMX Bikes Need Kickstands?
For hardcore trick riding, racing, and pushing handling limits, BMX bikes shine best when stripped to the absolute essentials. The marginal benefits of kickstands rarely justify the performance compromises. But casual riders may still appreciate the parking convenience – if you can protect the bike’s handling.
With creative aftermarket options, storing BMX bikes without kickstands is very feasible. A dose of mechanical ingenuity can add support without excess weight or fragility. Ultimately you must decide where your riding priorities lie.
While often overlooked, the humble kickstand reveals much about a bike’s character. Perhaps someday innovative designs will reconcile kickstand function with high-performance BMX riding. But for now, separation may be the wisest path.
FAQs:
Q1: Why don’t BMX bikes have kickstands?
BMX bikes skip kickstands to save weight, prevent snagging on terrain, maintain ground clearance, optimize lean angles, and boost handling agility needed for tricks, jumps, and racing.
Q2: Can you put a kickstand on a BMX bike?
Yes, BMX bikes without factory kickstand mounts can have aftermarket kickstands added via clamps, adhesives, custom brackets, or drilled frame holes. detachable stands and upside-down pedals are also options.
Q3: Are kickstands bad for BMX bikes?
Kickstands are not necessarily bad, but the extra weight and possibility of unexpected failures can hamper high-speed handling. For casual riding they are fine, but hardcore riders typically remove them.
Q4: Should I add a kickstand to my BMX bike?
Consider your riding style – kickstands aid parking convenience for transportation biking. But for aggressive performance, tricks, and racing, removing kickstands improves acceleration, cornering, and stability at speed.
Q5: How can I store my BMX bike without a kickstand?
Use wall-mounted bike racks and hooks, floor stands, improvised supports, vertical frames, and other creative solutions to store your kickstand-less BMX bike at home securely. Avoid just leaning it against fences outside.