So you’ve got a new bicycle and you would love to try out the different stunt moves you’ve seen from other riders. A good initial investment can be a set of bike pegs.
In this article, we’ll talk about what bike pegs are and what they are used for, whether you can add bike pegs to any bike, whether you can add bike pegs to a mountain bike, and what bike pegs are made of.
What We Will Cover
What are bike pegs?
Bike pegs (also called foot pegs or stunt pegs) are small metal bars that are shaped like little cylinders and are attached to the axles of either the front or rear wheels of a bicycle. They allow riders to place their feet and balance their weight over the center of the wheel.
You can see them sticking out on both sides of either the front or rear wheel of a bicycle.
What are bike pegs used for?
Bike pegs are mainly used to perform stunts and tricks when attached to a motocross or BMX bike. But that isn’t their only use case:
- Bike pegs allow riders to stand on the front or rear axle to perform tricks.
- Bicycle pegs help improve a rider’s control while performing stunts.
- Plastic bike pegs reduce friction and create better traction while riding.
- When you park your bike outside, bike pegs act as a shield to keep it from moving too far away.
- Bike pegs also improve riding stability.
- They allow you to adjust the pressure on each side of the footpeg while shifting gears.
- Bike pegs are also used by racers on dirt bikes to improve their grip since they usually have teeth that allow the rider to use them as a grip.
- You can use your foot pegs as a resting place for your legs while riding or stuck in traffic.
However, before getting some bike pegs for your bike, you should understand that bicycle pegs come in different shapes and sizes, serving different purposes for the rider.
Can You Add Bike Pegs to Any Bike?
While technically yes, you can add them to any bike. Practically speaking, you shouldn’t try to put them on every bike you have.
You can add bike pegs to any bike as long as your axle is firm and threaded, and your axle nuts are fully engaged.
To accommodate the peg, the axle must extend from the fork. There’s a nut that screws onto the side of the peg, so you won’t be able to attach a peg if the axle doesn’t have the thread.
This means that generally, you can only put bike pegs on street bikes, stunt bikes, BMX bikes, and beach cruisers because they usually have the threaded axles you need.
Can You Put Bike Pegs on a Mountain Bike?
No, you can’t put bike pegs on a mountain bike because the entire geometry of the bike isn’t designed for street riding.
Mountain bikes usually have quick-release axles, and these are incapable of accommodating bicycle pegs, unlike street bikes with threaded axles.
If you add pegs to your mountain bike, you will only be able to use them to rest your feet and not to carry the weight of your body if it has a lengthy bolt-on axle. However, you must be aware that doing so may damage your wheels.
Tricks You Can Do With Bike Pegs
There are several tricks you can do on your bicycle with pegs attached.
Frame surfer:
- Stand with one foot on the saddle and the other foot on the peg.
- If you don’t feel balanced that way, put your other foot on the bicycle’s stem instead of the peg.
- Then ride.
X-up ride:
- While riding, lift your front wheel while simultaneously switching the handlebars so your hands are crossed in front of you.
Rocket Manual:
- Put a foot on the back peg and leave the other hanging.
- Pull up the wheel on the front end.
- Then swing your leg that’s off the peg while riding to keep yourself balanced.
What are bike pegs made out of?
Bike pegs are often made of either metal (aluminum alloy or Chromoly steel) or plastic.
Metal pegs are more resistant to wear and tear than most bike pegs. Steel is durable and inexpensive, but aluminum is lightweight and more expensive. While the pegs themselves are made of metal, the surfaces can be made of rubber for improved traction.
For riders seeking longer or smoother grinds, replaceable nylon or plastic sleeves are also available.
Are Metal or Plastic Pegs Better for Bike Grinds?
It depends on what you grind, whether you slam into grinds, how frequently you grind, and if you want quiet grinds or loud.
On one hand, plastic pegs are a good option because they slide smoothly and are fantastic for slow riders who like to ride 2 mph at foot-tall ledges for short distances.
You can also get replacement sleeves for them because they’re plastic and won’t last forever – perhaps a year or two with normal usage. Some plastic pegs even include an extra sleeve right from the pack.
On the other hand, metal pegs have longer lifespans and should last for at least two years. And they are cheaper as you won’t have to keep replacing plastic sleeves when they eventually chip off. And many riders love the sound of metal grinding on the ledges and concrete while riding.
Although both types of stunt pegs have advantages and drawbacks, plastic sleeve bike pegs with alloy inserts are the best since they incorporate the advantages of both materials.
How do you take off pegs on a bike?
The process of removing pegs off a bike is quick and easy.
- Pass a screwdriver through both drilled holes in the peg. The screwdriver should be perpendicular to the length and completely pass through the peg.
- Using the screwdriver, turn the peg counterclockwise. You may need to use some force here to loosen the peg. If it’s too tight, you can spray a lubricant to help the peg turn more easily.
- To remove the peg, remove the screwdriver and finish unscrewing it with your fingers.