Steps for a bicycle: types and tips for choosing

Nowadays, the variety of bicycles is as great as the variety of different attributes to them. In this article, we will take a closer look at the subject of bicycle steps. This small, inconspicuous part is a very convenient addition to the bike. We also consider bicycle footrests for wheels of 16, 26, 29 inches and make an overview of the brands Cube, Merida and others.

The footboard is a detail of the bicycle providing a stable position of a vehicle when it is motionless. The public opinion on the usefulness of this accessory is fundamentally different: one needs the bandwagon to ride a bicycle in the same way as wheels, others consider it to be very uncomfortable and remove it from a new bike at the earliest opportunity.

A tripping is necessary under certain conditions in which riding is carried out. Most often, a bicycle is used for:

• trips to parks, bike parks, courtyards, paths and sidewalks;
• highway and city roads;
• cycling (in the city, hills, forest roads);
• doing cycling.

There are a number of cases where the stand is not needed for the bike. For example, it is not needed at all for a tricycle.

For those who cannot imagine cycling without a bandwagon, it is often needed as an additional accessory. Indeed, during measured walks in the zones of parks, stadiums or playgrounds, it does not make sense to use the footboard: you can hold the bicycle yourself or lean it, for example, against a tree or bench. In such cases, the bandwagon does not play an important role, but it is not necessary to remove it.

Another group of people are cyclists on city bikes. They use special road bikes with either one or more gears, or with an integrated planetary gear shift system. For such bicycles, the manufacturer sets the bandwagon.

It is simply impossible to lean it against something and put it steadily, therefore the bandwagon here will be very helpful.

Shosers. This is a group of cyclists riding the lightest bikes. The complete absence of all accessories, including running boards, calls, mirrors, luggage racks, is necessary for the development of speed. The weight indicator plays an important role in acceleration and further coastal movement on asphalt. Given that the stand is not heavy at all, the question arises, why not leave it. However, each shoser knows that when moving, the influence of each gram is enhanced several times.

One of the most popular hobbies among owners of a two-wheeled horse is cycling. Riding over rough terrain involves many obstacles such as rough roads, thick grass, bushes, ravines and steep slopes. If the bike, not equipped with a stand, must be put on the ground, an obstacle will be created for other cyclists. In this case, moving it in a lying position will be much more difficult, it may be difficult to choose a place where to put the bike.

With a heavy load on the trunk, the stand allows you to put the bike stably. However, pay attention to the surface where to put the heel of the footrest. It must be firm so that the bike does not swing.

Stand needed tourist bike. Loaded with everything you need, it will be easy to deliver stably if you need to stop, have a snack, relax or take photos of the area.

People involved in cycling do not feel much need for a bandwagon. It must be removed during competitions, as well as when riding in the mountains or participating in "dancing on two wheels", performing tricks.

The classification of bicycle steps is quite interesting.

Such footboards immediately put on city ​​bikes designed for the city and even primer. They are located in the area of ​​the carriage mechanism, hold the bike in an inclined position. The carriage steps are usually small, do not allow you to stand in the sand or on any non-solid surface and do not withstand a large load, in particular on the trunk.

The mounting location of the footrest on a city bike or mountain bike may vary slightly. Sometimes it is installed on the front, and not on the rear wheel.

The stand mounted on the drive wheel has several advantages. For example, this allows you to heavily load the trunk. Weight acts on the rear wheel, and the front counteracts the fall. This is a very convenient option for tourists: you can not only load the trunk, but also hang something on the front of the bike.

As a rule, they are mounted on the axis of the rear wheel or are placed on the pen. Also possible adjust the distance from the rear wheel.

Double, or “two-legged”, central symmetrical stands are similar to those that are installed on motorcycles. The footboard, whose shape resembles a flyer, slightly raises the front wheel of the bicycle. The weight turns out to be evenly distributed, the standing bicycle takes an equal position due to the larger area of ​​the heel of the stand. However, such a footboard has a significant minus - the weight is about 600 g. However, if you have a large cargo for transportation, which should not fall, the footboard does not show any particular flaws.

It is mounted between the rear wheel and the frame carriage assembly.The length of the footboard depends on the diameter of the wheels, a platform for attaching it is present on almost every road bike and on some inexpensive mountain models.

Also referred to as “long”, footboards of this type look like a dense long pin that has flyers at the edges: one for securing the frame, the other is equipped with a stop, and is installed on the ground.

Choose it if the bike does not have a special platform for attaching the steps. It has a bolt, and a clamp, which is installed on the lower feathers of the frame, and a special retractable mechanism. It allows you to put the bandwagon on wheels with a diameter of 20 to 28 inches. Therefore, it is called universal.

It is more rigid, it is installed on the left side. It can be installed both on the lower feather of the frame, and on the lower and upper feathers of the frame.

This kind of stand has appeared recently. It helps to create a stable bike position. Installed in the area of ​​the rear wheel hub.

They are characterized by the ability to change the length and angle of inclination. This stand can be put on different types of wheels and types of bicycles.

Installation with the necessary parameters, however, occurs at a time. In the future, changing the length or angle will be difficult. When fixing, it is important to put the mechanism as accurately as possible so that in the future the bike does not crash to the ground. The telescopic footrest is more expensive than other types.

The size of the bicycle wheel, measured in inches, affects the choice of one or another footboard. In most cases, when you buy it, you can find out which bike it is suitable for.

The main dimensions of the wheel and the suitable (approximately) length of the steps:

• 16 inches - 18-20 cm;
• 18 inches - 20 cm;
• 20 inches - 22 cm;
• 24 inches - 25 cm;
• 26 inches - 27 cm;
• 28 and 29 inches - 29 cm or more.

You can choose a footboard for the bicycle as having consulted directly with the seller in the store, and having solved the problem yourself. The main thing is that the selected stand is as convenient as possible for you.

The following factors affect the choice of steps:

• type of bike and its scope;
• wheel diameter;
• type of footboard;
• its material and weight.

Plain one-legged footboard made of steel with a carriage or rear mount is suitable for those who do not go on long trips and who are unprincipled extra grams. Two-legged suitable for those who prefer cycling and load the bike with tens of kilograms. For an electric bike, the most robust, stable stands are most often chosen.

This is explained by the fact that, pressing into the loose earth under the force of gravity, even a standard footboard will lower the bicycle and will not protect it from falling. This useful and interesting fact was revealed by tourists, based on personal experience.

The material from which the footboard is made plays an important role. The division of bets on the material is very simple.

• Aluminum. They are characterized by the smallest weight. The disadvantages include fragility and high cost.
• Steel. The cheapest, quite strong, can withstand almost any load. However, such rates are heavier than aluminum or titanium.
• Titanium. Like aluminum, it is also light and expensive, but more durable and high quality. They are rarely found in the store.

In the Russian market there are many suppliers of a wide variety of running boards. Consider the most popular of them.

• Cube. Most of the stands of this brand are made of aluminum or its alloys and weighs from 200 to 400 g. The footboard can withstand weight up to 25 kg and costs around 2-3 thousand rubles.
• Merida. This company produces racks rather than racks. Racks are often used to securely mount a bicycle when it is not needed. The rack from Merida holds the rear wheel of the bike, is suitable for wheels with a diameter of 20-29 inches and costs up to about 1 thousand rubles.
• Stels. Quite popular among buyers, the company produces for bicycles with a wheel diameter of 20-28 inches, steps from steel and aluminum. Stels offers both one-legged and two-legged stands costing around 1 thousand rubles.

So, in most cases, a cycling footboard is a useful addition. It will play a role if you need to put the bike evenly and steadily, and not put it on the ground. But, even if you are shown a large number of advantages of the stand, to install it or not is only your choice.

See how to choose a footrest for your bike in the next video.