Kickstands. Yes or no?

[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!