Kickstands. Yes or no?

[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.