Kickstands. Yes or no?

[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...

[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.

[Biciclista]

if your bike is expensive enough, you're locking it to things all the time, so the lock serves as a kind of a kickstand.

[Zen]

I like having a kickstand and I don't give a rats patoot whether someone thinks I'm cool or not.

I know I'm cool, it's everyone else who's behind the curve

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

if your bike is expensive enough, you're locking it to things all the time, so the lock serves as a kind of a kickstand.

That true enough. The one time I leaned my bike against a building without locking it to something, I was standing nearby talking to someone and this weird wind gust sucked around the side of the building and blew my bike over, denting the bar end shifters a little bit. There was no other wind or breeze besides that, it was like some mischievous poltergeist or something. I've seen other people's bikes get blown over while resting on kickstands as well, and one on a kickstand got knocked over onto the pavement by a toddler running past the cafe with bikes parked outside.
One day when I have a less expensive or older bike I'll definitely get a kickstand. I like the idea of them.

[PscyclePath]

After this weekend's seminar, I have one on my shoppong list, at least for the bike I'm using most to teach with now... With the parking lot drills and the new standards requiring some substantially larger layouts (and bigger, emptier lots) there's no real place to lean your bike against, and laying it on the ground makes it a little more time-cosuming if you have to fish something like a tape measure, multi-tool, or tennis balls out of your trunk bag or pannier.

So looks like the Cross-Check will be getting a kickstand ...

[Aint Doody]

I have invested in Click-Stands for my Trek Pilot and my Bike Friday. Here's a link. That way I have my kick stand when I want it, and leave it in my pocket when I don't.

http://www.click-stand.com/

[GLC1968]

I have invested in Click-Stands for my Trek Pilot and my Bike Friday. Here's a link. That way I have my kick stand when I want it, and leave it in my pocket when I don't.

http://www.click-stand.com/

This thing is AWESOME! I'm totally ordering one for my H for Christmas (and maybe one for me, too )

Thanks for the info!

[Geonz]

When I got my hybrid, I heeded the literature and disdained the kickstand.

I went back a few days later and had 'em put one on. I am the Sue and I transcend cool (i.e., I'm dorky )

Don't have one on the Trek FX... do on the Dahon and the Gazelle (oh, MY, does the Gazelle have an industrial strength kickstand).

Assert your individuality. If you ride more, you'll get stronger faster than the difference in weight will make you slower, and besides, you'll ride stronger to *prove* the kickstand isn't slowing you down.

[jobob]

I have invested in Click-Stands for my Trek Pilot and my Bike Friday. Here's a link. That way I have my kick stand when I want it, and leave it in my pocket when I don't.

http://www.click-stand.com/

I love the photos on that site.

[Zen]

Don't have one on the Trek FX...

My FX came with kickstand

[badgercat]

My FX came with kickstand

eeeeenteresting. Mine (2008 7.2) didn't. The bike shop guy asked me if I wanted one installed when I bought the bike though, so while it came home with me with a kickstand, it did not "come with" a kickstand.

[ehirsch83]

My FX came with kickstand

Usually it is up to the shop to put it on. Bikes do not usually come boxed with them, so if the shop is out of kickstands or short on them it will depend which they put them on.
Kickstands are also a safety hazard at higher speeds. If it was to fall down while you were riding it could be a potential bad crash waiting to happen,which in turn could turn into a lawsuit.

So besides not looking cool,there is a very serious safety issue related to kickstands and higher speeds.

[channlluv]

Okay, so kickstands are the cycling equivalent of pocket protectors, only they can be hazardous, depending. Thanks! That helps a lot. I don't do any trails on my mountain bike. I chose it because I can sit more vertically than leaning forward while I ride and it's just better on my back. I'm not the most flexible willow in the wind here. I'm strictly a pavement girl, although that may change as the weight comes off.

Aint Doody, those Click Stands look genius! I think that just may be the answer to my dilemma. It's got "cool cyclist gadget" style that even my century-riding DH will approve of. Maybe. And it's a lot less than a new paint job for the car, or the bike.

Woohoo! Now to go pick out a nice bell and see if I can get "Better Fred than Dead" put on a t-shirt. <g>

Thank you all for the input. I really appreciate your help and your suggestions and solutions!

Roxy