Kickstand or no?

[GrassyRidge]

I finally, after several months of test rides, researching, and learning bought my bike today. I decided to go with the Trek 7.6 fx, wsd as it seems to have the geometry that fits me best, and the features I'm looking for. The question came up do I want a kickstand or not? I've always had a kickstand before, but this is the first distance bike I've bought. I brought it home without one, to see how it works, but I seem to find myself leaning it against walls and other things to keep it upright, and I'm wondering if I'm going to tear up the ends of the handlebars. I looked at the kickstand at the store but they only had one and it seemed to be heavy and clunky....

What do you guys think?

[KnottedYet]

My bike fell over more often when it had a kickstand.

Without one I lay the bike down or lean it against something sturdy, which seems to work better. A bandana will protect bits of the bike you don't want contacting walls, etc. A broccoli band wrapped around the front brake handle (keeping it engaged) will keep it from rolling and flopping.

Now, for a cargo bike (like a Big Dummy or Yuba Mundo or Kona Ute) I'd definitely get a two-legged heavy duty kickstand.

[Tri Girl]

I love my kickstand on my Bike Friday. I use it all the time. If I could get away with putting one on my carbon tri bike I would- but I won't...

[sgtiger]

If you're going to stop on your long rides often a kickstand wouldn't hurt.

I originally wanted one for my touring bike when the frame was being built, but I was talked out of it by DH who didn't think it belonged on a road bike (He's since gotten over that attitude). I really regret not having a kickstand plate added to the frame now.

I've decided I like them enough that I don't care if others think they contribute to the fred factor and added the Pletscher scissor stands to my bikes. They are definitely not for anyone whose conscientious about keeping the weight of their bikes down. I like the scissor stands because there's less of a chance that one of our rug monkeys will knock my bike over when they're putting away theirs.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Yo_Ms_wipD4/Sv8kpdoadvI/AAAAAAAABP4/ngt1x0lXSJs/s400/IMG_0184.JPG
There're a bit long so my front end rises up. I need to get them cut down, but they do have markings to make it easier for that.

Close-up:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Yo_Ms_wipD4/Sv8klkayuoI/AAAAAAAABP0/2YnXRnpNqeI/s288/IMG_0178.JPG

[owlice]

I like my kickstand (http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab178/owlice1/TowpathTrip/Loadedbike.jpg); very handy.

[Zen]

That's odd. My 7.6 came with a kickstand. I had the shop take it off.

[Tuckervill]

I think kickstands are handy as a pocket and it's just some of that snobbery of marketing that has trickled down from racers to the general population. All my 10 speeds in the '70s had kickstands! If you want a kickstand, get a kickstand!

Karen

[blackhillsbiker]

I like having a kickstand. I had my LBS put one on my Kona. It makes it easier in the garage with everyone's bikes needing to fit in a small space.

Deb

[ny biker]

I get along fine without one. There's always something to lean the bike against when I'm not riding.

[Over50Newbie]

I love my kickstands. I have one on my Trek Navigator comfort bike and one on my Terry Classic road bike.

I sometimes get teased by other bikers, but who cares!

I have no plans to take them off.

Lynette

[OakLeaf]

This is one of those questions like hydration packs or triple cranks. The snob factor makes some people forget that they really don't work for some people and some bikes.

I'm with Knot. My commuter came with a sidestand, but it just makes my bike fall over. Now, that centerstand does look interesting though...

[GrassyRidge]

:) Thanks for all the replies, I guess I'm just gonna have to see how the next few weeks go, and make a decision!

[krisl6]

I have a kickstand on my commuter bike but never use it because there's always bike stands where I park my bike and they actually work a lot better than the kickstand.

As for my road and mountain bikes (which I never leave unattended in public) I have one of these in the garage for storage and think it's super handy:http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=17158&src=froogleUS&currency=USD

[MomOnBike]

It highly depends on what you use your bike for. A grocery-getter/commuter is incomplete without one. OTOH, a full-on racing bicycle would be handicapped with that extra weight. Figuring out which end of that spectrum you are on will probably give you your answer.

If you want a bike prop, with little weight penalty, you could look into a Click Stand. http://www.click-stand.com/

I haven't used one, but I can see the utility. I'd be afraid of losing it, actually.

[GrassyRidge]

Ooh, that click-stand looks like an option, then I'd have the best of both worlds, a kick stand when I want it, and none when I don't!

[easterbird]

I wanted a kickstand on my OCR2 Giant but couldn't get one. Bought the click stand instead and it's great.:D It comes with brake bands(someone mentioned broccoli rubber bands for the brake) that are always useful even if you don't use the stand. I use the stand most when I am cycling by myself. I often stop at a pretty spot rather than at a deli or market (on club rides)so there are no walls to lean a bike against.

[GLC1968]

Another vote for the 'click stand'! I bought one for my H because it's exceedling difficult to load up grocery paniers when there are no bike racks. Because he also uses his 'touring' bike for road rides, he didn't want the bother of a kick stand. This thing works VERY well - even under a light load.

[AnnieBikes]

I bought a click-stand http://www.click-stand.com/ when I was going on one of my long rides and I couldn't live without it! It is especially nice when on a supported, state, or weekend ride when there are lots of other riders and not many places to prop your bike. I keep it in my handlebar bag, easily accessible. It hardly weighs anything, works like a charm and fits YOUR bike, by your measurements sent to the guy who makes them. I use it for both my bikes, even though they have slightly different top tubes.

One recommendation would be to use velcro wrap ties instead of the brake bands he sends because they are so easy to lose,, or do not fit over the bar end mirror. I use the velcro to secure the click-stand in my bag and then I have them for the brakes when I stop.

[GrassyRidge]

Yep, I'm gonna measure this weekend and send off for mine!

[moderncyclista]

I have kickstands on my bikes. I do not want my 520 or my Aurora tipping over scratching the finishes. I have the rear mount Bontrager heavy-duty kickstands on both. Good, out of the way stand. Eff people who chide you for having one. That is pure bike snobery. Just like riding in skinny jeans, with handle bars the width of a pencil. Do what makes sense for you.

[Mmm4dmb]

I was always told "real bikes dont have kickstands" which I disagreed and fought with for soo long, now my road bike doesnt have one but I have a stand to put the back wheel in, I dont want a kickstand but Im sure they would be useful

[Catrin]

I just bought the 7.6 FX myself, and opted for the kickstand. I know that distance bikes don't typically have them, but I also noticed that it fell over in the store 3 times while I was shopping for tools and other things. I was also concerned it might mark up my apartment living room wall...

Is it purely a weight issue that the manufacturers don't put kickstands on them any more? I noticed an interesting expression on someone's face when I told him that I had done this :)

[Librarygirl]

Yes, I have also been told that kickstands aren't 'cool' on a bike, but I reckon, be confident in what you need, what's most functional for you, not what other people think looks good. I have a kickstand on my bike, I am thinking about removing it, but ONLY because I am very uncoordinated and scared that one of these days I'm going to ride off with it still down and have a big stack! I'm so paranoid that I'm constantly twisting around as I ride off after stopping to check I've flipped it up, which is probably just as unsafe! :o

[blackhillsbiker]

People have the same sorts of fits when you install strap buttons on guitars. I believe you should equip the tool with the parts that make it work the best for you. I don't have a kickstand yet on my MTB because I'm afraid it might catch on branches and etc. I have one on my commuter. It just makes sense.

Deb

[OakLeaf]

I am thinking about removing it, but ONLY because I am very uncoordinated and scared that one of these days I'm going to ride off with it still down and have a big stack! I'm so paranoid that I'm constantly twisting around as I ride off after stopping to check I've flipped it up, which is probably just as unsafe! :o

Ummmm.... are you sure your crankarm will clear your kickstand? Riding off with the sidestand is a possible issue on a motorcycle (a lot of m/cs have an ignition cutoff tied to the sidestand), but I can't even move my bici from its parking space with the kickstand down.

[sarahspins]

Ummmm.... are you sure your crankarm will clear your kickstand? Riding off with the sidestand is a possible issue on a motorcycle (a lot of m/cs have an ignition cutoff tied to the sidestand), but I can't even move my bici from its parking space with the kickstand down.

I was just thinking this. I think it's also a matter of habits formed. When I use my kickstand, I put it back up BEFORE I get back on the bike.. rather than after... then there's no chance of accidentally riding off with it down.

[Geonz]

When I got my first hybrid, everything I read said "no kickstand," so I didn't get one.

A week later, I went back to teh shop and they put one on for me (as if I'd gotten it with the bike, I might add, not additional). I'd missed it too many times.

When I got my 7500 FX, though, I didn't get one. Sometiems I miss it, but it's a much lighter bike so leaning isn't as involved. (Now that the original bike has an Xtracycle extension, I will eventually get a center stand.)

See what it's like without one... you'll know.

[moderncyclista]

"real bikes dont have kickstands"

I strongly believe in function over form. What is the purpose of the bike that you ride? Is it for racing? If so, you probably don't want a kickstand. Is it for touring and commuting - where you will carry heavy loads of food, clothes, sleeping bags, or laptop, work clothes, etc.? If so, you probably do want a kickstand. Is it for cyclocross or mountain biking - where you will be hucking over logs, riding rough trails, jumping obstacles?? If so, you probably don't want a kickstand. If I had an aluminum or carbon road bike I wouldn't worry about a kickstand. Commuter bikes however, need them for hauling in my opinion.

Basically, your needs determine the necessity of that purchase. No one else can quantify the reason you may or may not need a kickstand.

Bontrager makes a rear-mount kickstand (not center mounted) so you don't have to worry about it getting caught in your crank. It is very out of the way, if anyone is considering a kickstand.

[macski]

I agree with the prevailing wisdom about getting one if you need it and not being a slave to bike snobery.

I don't have a kick stand on any of my bikes (hybrid, drop bar road and flat bar road). In the recent cycling course I did there were 30 women and most of us had hybrids. Nearly all of the women had kickstands but several times their bikes fell over even though they had used the kickstands. Mine never fell over because I always leaned it against something and it wasn't victim to slightly uneven ground or strong winds (the main reasons their bikes fell over).

Also, on at least two occasions I saw people riding off with their kickstands down - fortunately I was able to warn them before something bad happened.

I haven't found the lack of a kickstand to be a problem but if I was loading the bike with groceries etc then I'd seriously consider it.

[Librarygirl]

Hey Oakleaf,

Yep, I checked my bike and unfortunately there is enough clearance between the crankarm and the kickstand to possibly ride off with it still down - I wish that wasn't the case, then I wouldn't have any worries. And Sarahspins, I do already flip the kickstand up before I get on the bike, but am easily distracted and just waiting for the day when I forget....already nearly did it one day recently on a bikeride with someone else - lucky they noticed and reminded me before it was too late. Hmmm, sometimes I wonder how I haven't had more accidents on the bike....fortunately I feel that the fun of it outweighs the potential danger :)

[sundial]

I've been toying with putting a kickstand on my Fargo but haven't done so yet.

Here's another option for a kickstand--Topeak FlashStand Slim (http://www.topeak.com/products/Storage/FlashStandSlim). You can fold it up and carry it in your pack or jersey pocket. :cool: