Kickstands. Yes or no?

[kjay]

I love the photos on that site.

This just reminded me that I wrote to the inventor about a year ago and he never did answer my questions. However, I still think it's a great kickstand!

[Zen]

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

I don't think i have anything to worry about

[Biciclista]

my shop bike has a kick stand that falls down. You just kick it back up. People who use kickstands aren't likely to be going 25-35 mph!
The same goes for raincoats. If they get caught in your drive train, you might end up on your head! I guess you had better not wear a raincoat.

Folks, kickstands are great. if you want one, get one.

[sundial]

Hubby has a kickstand and loves it.

I, on the other hand, catapoult enough without the assistance of an appendage.

[MomOnBike]

My bikes are for Going Places and Doing Things. A kickstand come in handy, so I have them on both bikes. If, however, I were to race I'd be looking to save every scrap of weight possible. No kickstand.

It all depends on the bike, and the intended uses. The biggest issue is if the kickstand (bell, flag, bucket panniers, etc.) make YOU smile. It IS your bike, after all.

That said, I like the folding stands, I'd be good with one.

[ginny]

when I was in Europe touring, everyone had kickstands! I was the dork left holding my bike on every ferry crossing I'm totally going to get one before my next tour... but it has to be tough enough to not fall over loaded etc ... just like everyone here has said. Maybe something more like a motorcycle kick stand... maybe that's just a tad too much. I hated holding the bike when everyone else was sitting and soaking up sun

[OakLeaf]

I should've been more clear - there's nothing wrong with my kickstand, it doesn't fold up. The bike just pivots around it. The solution isn't a different kickstand, it's in putting some steering lock on the bike... and since I don't care to shorten up my cables, it would be one of those front tire holder deals, whatever they're called. Do they make those for fat tires? At any rate it seems like more trouble than it's worth. I lock my hybrid to something or at least put it in a rack when I'm parking it away from home. It does sit on the kickstand in the garage (level floor, unloaded panniers). So basically I'm carrying my home storage solution around with me wherever I ride. The kickstand is useless anywhere else.

[Aint Doody]

Oakleaf, do you just need something to hold a brake in place? With the Click-stands you get these things that are like pony-tail holders to put on your handlebars and hold the brake closed. Would putting something like that on you handlebar help? It will keep the bicycle from moving. Just a thought.

You can just use pony-tail holders.

[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.