No wonder mountain bikes are among the best for adventures like trails, mountain, and mud riding.
So, Can you put pegs on a mountain bike?
Mountain bikes’ purpose is to carry for one person only, who is the cyclist. However, you can ride another person, but in general, this is not the actual work and use of pegs.
What if we install BMX pegs on an MTB?
So that another person can ride behind you on your MTB. Well, it sounds good, but technically, not a good idea for the health of your mountain bike and the person behind you.
How? Continue reading the article. We’ve written an ultimate guide on how to install the pegs on your MTB:
What are MTB Pegs and their use?
In the bicycle industry, pegs are the foot holder on the bicycle, which allows the back person to stand or rest their feet on those pegs.
However, the actual use of pegs is not to carry a standing second person with you. The primary benefit of mountain bike pegs for some people is to prevent their frames from getting damaged when the bike falls to the ground.
Pegs are popular in BMX bicycles where the rider can either use the pegs for wheeling or another passenger can sit or stand on the bike using those pegs. The pegs are usually stainless steel that can absorb the person’s jolts and sudden impacts.
Can pegs go on any bike?
In the beginning, not all the pegs could fit all the bikes, but with the help of technology and effectiveness, many different pegs are out on the market for many bikes and mountain bikes.
The scenario will differ if you want to attach them with an MTB. An MTB is a mountain bike; its primary purpose is off-roading and robust grip. It’s not a stunt bike like BMX. In simple and short, No. It’s jotting good to attach the pegs on MTB.
An MTB bike’s tire bolts’ purpose is not to hold the whole person’s weight. Additionally, an MTB’s tire bolt is usually not extended enough that you can attach a peg with it.
What are bike pegs made out of?
A bike’s pegs’ primary material is stainless steel. However, some manufacturers also use aluminium to build their pegs in certain conditions. But, about 90% of pegs you see in the market, their material is stainless steel. Steel is a perfect material for pegs as well. It’s rigid, highly resistant to rust, and can easily absorb the jolts of a rider.
However, note that the bolt that connects the peg is also steel. Therefore, you might see faster wear and tear, as steel is a highly dense element and offers high % wear and tear if used with another steel. To solve this issue, you can oil the bolt, and it’ll reduce the friction and eventually slow down the wear and tear process.
Pegs specifications
Pegs are not suitable for an MTB bike. Below is the explanation:
Frame Material
Most of the MTBs frame material is carbon and aluminium alloy elements. Both aluminium and carbon are not good at absorbing sudden shocks on a small unit area. It’s because aluminium isn’t as dense as steel and can easily crack if the impact’s surface area is small, e.g., peg on the MTB. An MTB is designed to spread all its effects from the tire evenly over the entire frame, but not for a peg.
Frame Design
Manufacturers increase the rigidness and spread the tire’s impact over the frame. However, this design language isn’t suitable for a peg. An MTB’s tire rod isn’t designed to hold 50-70 Kg of weight (average weight of a person) from the lower side.
Bolt Design
Unlike BMX, MTB’s tire bolt isn’t extended. It’s always short, so no bush or plant’s branch can get stuck in the tire when riding on a hill. For that purpose, most of the BMX pegs might not attach to your MTB firmly and can end up with a cracked frame or crack bolt.
Overall, installing a peg on a BMX isn’t a good option. You can get a crack in your bicycle’s frame or tire bolt.
Do all pegs fit all bikes?
No, you can install any pegs on any bike. For example, a BMX peg is different. BMX’s peg is usually a large and long size hollow sphere peg. On the other hand, regular city bike pegs are traditionally thin and short-sized hollow or rectangle pegs. City bikes are only focused on comfort and ergonomics that can only be found in rectangle-shaped pegs and not in spheres.
On the other hand, pegs used in MTBs are usually large and long hollow spheres, but their nutting diameter is small compared to road and BMX bikes. However, again, MTBs pegs aren’t recommended, but still, if you want, you can use them for temporary purposes, but overall as we said, it is not recommended.
How to put pegs on a mountain bike
Putting pegs on a mountain bike can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s worth it in the long run. Below is a step-by-step guide on putting pegs on a mountain bike!
- When putting pegs on a mountain bike, you’ll need to find the right size and shape for your bike. Make sure to measure the distance between the axle and the peg, and select a peg that is the same or slightly larger than that.
- Once you have located the spot, use a wrench or Allen key to screw in the peg securely.
- Next, determine where you want the peg to mount on your bike’s frame.
- Make sure that all other screws are tightened down before riding! Now you’re ready to hit the trails!
How do I know what size PEG I need?
The answer is simple: you have to visit your nearest bicycle accessories shop, tell them your needs, and they’ll give you the right peg for your bike. It’s because pegs come in different sizes, shapes, and lights, all suited for different types of users and bikes.
If you’re a BMX, then you’ll need a BMX peg.
You need a standard peg (footrest) if you have a regular city bike.
If you got an MTB, you would need an MTB peg (not recommended to use a peg on MTB).
So, it all depends on your needs and sizes. For better ergonomics, it is better to choose what the bicycle accessory shop recommends is recommended. Rest is your choice.
Conclusion
Putting pegs on a mountain bike can be daunting, but with this step-by-step guide, you’ll be riding smoothly and safer in no time! To start, gather the necessary items: a peg, bike frame, and bike wheel. Next, remove the bike’s front wheel by unscrewing the hub. Finally, remove the front wheel by unscrewing the axle. Next, place the bike frame on a flat surface and position the bike wheel so that the axle lines up with the hole in the bike frame. Now, use the peg to insert the peg into the bike wheel hole. Ensure the peg is fully inserted before screwing the axle back onto the hub.