Kickstand or no?

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?

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.

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...

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/Sv...0/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/Sv...8/IMG_0178.JPG

I like my kickstand; very handy.

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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.a...S&currency=USD

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.

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!