Kickstands. Yes or no?

[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.

[Biciclista]

I like kickstands too. I was told by the builder of my bike that my bike was not MADE for a kickstand, otherwise I'd have one.
Kickstands weigh closer to a pound by the way. Ask the guy at your LBS if your bike can handle a kickstand. If it can, get one.
Just because they're not cool is just not a good enough reason. Kickstands
are really convenient, and if it makes you like your bike more, all the better! keep riding.

[DebTX]

The hybrid I learned on had a kickstand, and when I upgraded to a slick road bike I too asked at the LBS, "Why doesn't it have a kickstand?" Yep, I'm a dork. I quickly realized from the look on the guys face that it's not cool, so I didn't push the issue. But truth is, it's a pain to have to find things to prop it against (either in the garage, or stopping at rest stopa at a charity ride). And she's way too pretty to lay on the ground

At age 48, it's rare to feel cool - this is my moment, I guess.

[lauraelmore1033]

When I bought my Specialized Tricross Sport I was told that installing a kickstand would void the warranty on my frame.

Just something to think about...

[shootingstar]

Clickstand looks interesting, but knowing me, I tend to forget to bring along certain bike acourements.

After watching my partner numerous times, lay his bike down on the ground when it's fully loaded with 2-4 panniers when we would be touring, I'm glad to have a kickstand.
Of course, when there's serious weight in a pannier or 2, the bike cannot balance right, but at least half of the time I'm carrying light load in only 1 pannier and the ground/pavement is wet, nothing to lean against, etc., a kickstand is handy.

I gave up years ago of believing I ever looked cool on or off the bike. It's strange that we should even feel self-conscious about a kickstand, when already people simply notice that we make the effort to cycle regularily ...to keep fit, etc.

[Biciclista]

Of course, when there's serious weight in a pannier or 2, the bike cannot balance right, but at least half of the time I'm carrying light load in only 1 pannier and the ground/pavement is wet, nothing to lean against, etc., a kickstand is handy.

I gave up years ago of believing I ever looked cool on or off the bike. It's strange that we should even feel self-conscious about a kickstand, when already people simply notice that we make the effort to cycle regularily ...to keep fit, etc.

thank you! well said!!