Kickstands. Yes or no?

[channlluv]

I want a kickstand. DH, an avid cyclist who hangs with triathletes, literally grimaces every time I mention it. It's not like I'm asking to put clicky-card thingys on my spokes or one of those clown horns or those pretty dangly tassles on my handlebar grips.

He says it's extra weight and will affect my speed. I laugh at this. I weigh 240 lbs. I don't think a 3 oz. kickstand is going to add a whole lot of drag, you know? And it might help protect the paint on my car from getting scratched because right now I have to lean my bike against the car while I'm getting my helmet and gloves on and all that.

Are kickstands really uncool? My daughter has one. She stands her bike up easily. I'm constantly futzing with mine, worried that it might fall over or shift and scratch the paint.

What do you guys think? (Assuming my Palomar mtb will even take a kickstand - this whole question may be moot.)

Thanks, all,

Roxy

[badgercat]

My boyfriend gives me the same grief about my kickstand. But guess who doesn't have to deal with worrying about her bike tipping over as I'm trying to fuss with my keys and cards to get into my apartment? Yes, I'll take those few extra ounces any day.

Then again, I have a hybrid that I primarily use for commuting, errands, that sort of thing. It doesn't really go out on any trails or anything, so depending on what you do with your bike, there may be different concerns with that or whatnot.

But don't NOT get one just because someone else says they're "uncool." I didn't listen to my guy, and I'm sure glad.

[kjay]

Ever since I was biking (on a rental) at a pretty good pace in the rain toward Hilo on the Big Island and heard a loud clanking sound from the back of my bike, which turned out to be the kickstand flopping around and hitting the ground, I won't put one on my bike. Sure, one can keep it well tightened, but just that one experience made my decision for me.

[VeloVT]

Yes, kickstands are really uncool .

That doesn't mean that you should care, of course. I strap a light to my helmet (in addition to a light on my bars) when I ride home in the dark and it looks pretty uncool, but it makes me feel much safer.

That said, I don't have kickstands on any of my bikes. This did not originate out of a quest for non-dorkiness -- it is mostly just because none of my adult bikes came with kickstands, so it did not immediately occur to me that I might need one. But I have to say that I really don't feel the need for one ever -- sometimes I lock my bike to an object, sometimes I lean it against my car, a wall, or what have you, and sometimes I lay it gently on the ground (derailleur side up, always!) -- and I really never think that it would be easier if I had a kickstand.

[wildhawk]

I guess I am “uncool” since I have a rear-mount kickstand on my bike. I love it, and I check to make sure its tight periodically. I have never had it loosen up yet. I go for practical, and we have several bikes - I got tired of leaning my bike against the wall and more than once it got knocked over and suffered some light scratches as a result. Like everything else, it is a matter of personal taste, and it should not matter what anyone else thinks - it is YOUR bike. And I am also a heavier rider, so the tiny amount of weight of that kickstand is a non-issue. I also ride with full panniers on a hybrid, make pretty speeds (16 - 18 mph avg.). If you are racing or endurance riding, then yes, weight would matter, so it is a matter of personal preference. I am also “uncool” because I do not own a cycling jersey or matching outfit, kept the reflectors on my wheels, and use regular sneakers instead of cycling shoes. Just call me a Fredwina, but the main thing is I enjoy riding my bike immensely and regularly. The kickstand is a handy thing to have on her.

[Miranda]

Yes, I was told the kickstands were uncool too when I went bike shopping, and by the pedal pals.

Not having a bike since my K-mart 10-speed (which has a kickstand) I was shocked that these "fancy pricier bikes" did not have a kickstand for the $... I mean what a way to cut cost. Then the lbs sales rep "educated" me.

However, I still don't have one on my road bike, or mtb. Actually, in theory, the bike should not be sitting still long enough to need one I concluded.

On the road... it's not my errand bike, I'm stopping no where. The mtb on the trail... I'm stopping no where (besides crashing).

Kickstanded bikes in the garage just lead to kids bikes toppling over into my & DH's nicer mtb bikes. Now I have an industrial type bike floor rack they go into.

My roadie girls stays in the house in the formal dining room (aka now bike room, she's too 'good' for the garage). The victorian drapes are a floral multi-pattern. Chain grease blends in ok w/the flowers leaned up against the panels.

If I had an errand/commuter bike... *maybe* a kickstand. But, the bike still would not be stored kickstanded anywhere. Even here in Mayberry if you left your bike kickstanded outside the coffee shop just long enough to get a cup of joe, it would be gone when you came back out. The bike would be leaned up against a street pole or the like secured with a tight chain lock.

Some of the safety things on my bike, the die hard roadies still make fun of. But, if it serves a purpose I truly need, then too bad... call me Fred. So, I guess just decide if you really need/want the kickstand... then do it. It's your ride.

Btw, I think a lovely bike bell would be a nice addition. It's the law in my state (& does help in some safety situations). I've thought about getting some really goofy looking ones just to make it even more Fred (better Fred than dead is my theory there). Still working on that one.

[KathiCville]

I have kickstands on both my road bike and my errand bike. (But not on my MTB.) Love 'em! My serious-cyclist boyfriend rolls his eyes, cringes and fusses at me, but I don't care. He's not the one who has to find places to prop up the bikes to inflate the tires or fill panniers so they balance. I also remind him that there are, oh, slightly more pressing issues these days than fretting over how fred my bikes look!

[OakLeaf]

I have one that came on my commuter and I may as well take it off, because the bike tips over whenever I put it on the stand. It can't have any load in the panniers and it can't be parked on a slope, or over it goes.

A kickstand would probably actually work better on a road bike (no panniers to throw the balance off, and drop bars with plenty of steering lock so the bars don't turn 180 degrees whenever you park on a slope). But (beyond being uncool) what's the point? You lean it up against something, your saddle and brake hood get a little dirty, you wash your bike. If you're in a position where you need to lock it to a signpost, well, usually a kickstand doesn't help with that anyhow; just carry a bit of scrap fabric to protect your frame.

[Tri Girl]

I have one on my touring/commuting/errand bike. My DH thinks I'm dorky, but I don't care. I also have a really expensive TT bike that I'm threatening putting a kickstand on because I'm tired of leaning it against things and scratching the paint (but I won't because I don't want to look even more dorky among my tri peers).
Put it on your bike. The weight won't make a difference, and the ease of having a way for it to stay up on it's own will be more than worth it. Bicycle dorks unite!

[fastdogs]

I have a kickstand on my hybrid; I had one put on when I bought it. That one broke, so I bought another one- this one is even adjustable!! My mountain bike does't have a place where one can go, so it doesn't have one. I still have the reflectors on all my wheels, and that plastic disk thing too. If I ride at night, I am considering duct taping a flashlight to my mtb handlebars to supplement the home depot headlight.
vickie

[Bluetree]

My commuter/errand bike: Yup, love it.

My road bikes: Never. Blasphemy!

[kfergos]

I'd say it's totally up to you. I don't have one and don't miss it, and it's true that some people look at it as being uncool. But who cares? If a kickstand on your bike will get you out there more often, or make you feel more comfortable about your bike, go for it.

[singletrackmind]

No kickstands on a mountain bike if you're riding it off road/curbs/etc. See Kjay's post.

Anything else it's up to you. I've no personal experience with them but what about one of those downtube dealies that flip down and hold the front wheel straight. You still have to lean it but it's less likely to walk off on its own. It's not a super obvious or made of metal thing, either.

As for myself, no kickstands on any of my bikes.

[Tuckervill]

I put a kickstand on my touring bike, and I love the stupid thing! It's as handy as a pocket! I do like to be able to stand my bike up anywhere. This bike lives on the front porch, so the kickstand is great for making it go wherever I want on the porch. My road and mtb, neither have kickstands, but if I were riding my road bike like I ride my tourer, I wouldn't hesitate. I wouldn't want one on the mtb because it might get caught in something on the trail. Plus, I just throw that thing down whenever I need to. After the first scratch from a fall, I didn't care that much for the paint to be scratched--it doesn't have time for looking pretty!

Get that dang kickstand if that's what you want. Don't discuss it with him, just do it.

Karen

[Pedal Wench]

I always thought they were blasphemy too, but considered one for the 3-Day walks with my mtb. We are stationed at intersections and sometimes it's hard to find a spot to lay or rest the bike that's safe, out of the way of the walkers, not blocking traffic, and easy to reach my stuff. (The motorcycle half of the crew are completely dumbfounded by our lack of kickstands!)

But, I couldn't find one that would fit -- someof them are designed to just clamp into the metal, and I couldn't imagine doing that to my poor bike, and the other kind that fits onto the chain stay didn't work with my Cannondale mtb. And actually, never really missed it.