Kick Stands

[Lakerider]

I'm not used to having a bike without a kick stand. I'm considering having one put on. Please give me your opinion. Thanks!

[Biciclista]

I have a custom road bike. It does not have a place for a kickstand. I have grudgingly gradually accepted it; but I love kickstands.

[Grog]

It depends on the bike.

I see no reason for one on my road bike (used primarily for training rides), but it's essential on my commuter.

[SadieKate]

Yeah, like grog said.

For instance, mtn bikes should not have kickstands. It could be dangerous. And probably no place to attach one.

[OakLeaf]

My commuter came with a sidestand.

But the bike will tip right over if it's on the stand, especially if there's anything in the panniers. Bent my brake lever pretty good, that way, before I just started ignoring the stand.

Having to go through all sorts of rigamarole to have something to secure the front wheel, getting it out, attaching it... I may as well just lean the bike up against something, or lay it on its side if it's just a big grassy or sandy area, as I would with a normal bike.

So I vote no.

[papaver]

It depends on the bike.

I see no reason for one on my road bike (used primarily for training rides), but it's essential on my commuter.

++++1

[Pax]

Ditto what Grog said. I really need to put one on my commuter, it didn't come with one and I just keep forgetting to buy one.

[Lakerider]

The bike shop guy told me,
"Clamp the front brake handle down with a rubber band so it won't roll, then just lean it on something."

I said, "What if I need to stop and there'e nothing to lean it on? Guess I'll just keep going until I find a tree or something."

Is that what you ladies do? When I ride 50 to 100 miles, I will certainly need to make some stops!

[ny biker]

The bike shop guy told me,
"Clamp the front brake handle down with a rubber band so it won't roll, then just lean it on something."

I said, "What if I need to stop and there'e nothing to lean it on? Guess I'll just keep going until I find a tree or something."

Is that what you ladies do? When I ride 50 to 100 miles, I will certainly need to make some stops!

Yes, I just lean it against something -- exterior wall of the 7-Eleven, fence, tree, etc. If there really is nothing (a rarity), I put it on its side with the gears facing up.

[maillotpois]

Lean it on a tree, a fence, against the curb (spin the pedal around to the 3:00 position (roughly) so you can brace the pedal on the curb to hold the bike up). I can't imagine having a kickstand on my road bike or MTB.

[AnnieBikes]

Last year on the Underground RR ride that I did, there was a woman who had a click stand. It was an awesome, lightweight little thing that you use as a kick stand. Instead of using the "brake bands" I just wedged a glove in the brakes. It is especially nice on a multi-day supported tour when you come in to a rest stop and every available fence, wall space, and tree is occupied!!

My husband ALWAYS takes his on his loaded touring bike and says he could not live without it. Check out this guy's website. I do not have ANY vested interest in this guy: he is not my brother, and I just think that he has a neat, useful product!!! He is out on a bike tour right now but will return in about ten days. I bought one and use it on both my road and touring bike as it works for each.

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

[OakLeaf]

The bike shop guy told me,
"Clamp the front brake handle down with a rubber band so it won't roll, then just lean it on something."

I said, "What if I need to stop and there'e nothing to lean it on? Guess I'll just keep going until I find a tree or something."

Is that what you ladies do? When I ride 50 to 100 miles, I will certainly need to make some stops!

On a supported ride, I'll just lay my bike in the grass, chain up.

Unsupported means that when I stop, it'll be at a store or restaurant that has exterior walls. (Or a cornfield... where depending on how far I have to walk to get to the corn, I may rest my bike against the cornstalks or lay it in the grass again. )

[BikingNurse]

Annie, That click stand is really cool. Thats what I want. I don't like kick stands. I really don't feel they are safe.

[Lakerider]

Annie, That click stand is really cool. Thats what I want.

I agree. That click stand does look cool!

[bmccasland]

The click-stand thingy looks really interesting!