Kickstands. Yes or no?

[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!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If your bike pivots when being leaned against buildings or kickstands, you can slip a bungee around the front tire to the frame to keep it from turning and the bike slipping away. It's the same result as bungee-ing the brake levers closed....whichever works better for you. Here's a photo I found of someone doing it:
bungee tire

People do this also when their bikes are on the back of their cars on a rack to keep the front wheel from spinning wildly while the car is driving.

[katluvr]

I do not have a kick stand. I guess I am of the mind set of road bike = no kick stand. Maybe it is the "coolness" or "roadie" factor and I am part of that.

But I wonder if it is not a bit "regional". Did a bike ride in Wisconsin and ALMOST EVERYONE had a kick-stand on their road bike!

[OakLeaf]

Thanks Lisa, I'll try that.

I knew to do that on a car rack (although I'm a little skeptical that the hubs would really be damaged with no load on them, there's no reason NOT to secure the wheels) but since I always have a bungee for my luggage anyhow, it's easy enough to do!

[sundial]

There is another option--FlashStand Slim.