Kickstand or no?

[MomOnBike]

It highly depends on what you use your bike for. A grocery-getter/commuter is incomplete without one. OTOH, a full-on racing bicycle would be handicapped with that extra weight. Figuring out which end of that spectrum you are on will probably give you your answer.

If you want a bike prop, with little weight penalty, you could look into a Click Stand. http://www.click-stand.com/

I haven't used one, but I can see the utility. I'd be afraid of losing it, actually.

[GrassyRidge]

Ooh, that click-stand looks like an option, then I'd have the best of both worlds, a kick stand when I want it, and none when I don't!

[easterbird]

I wanted a kickstand on my OCR2 Giant but couldn't get one. Bought the click stand instead and it's great. It comes with brake bands(someone mentioned broccoli rubber bands for the brake) that are always useful even if you don't use the stand. I use the stand most when I am cycling by myself. I often stop at a pretty spot rather than at a deli or market (on club rides)so there are no walls to lean a bike against.

[GLC1968]

Another vote for the 'click stand'! I bought one for my H because it's exceedling difficult to load up grocery paniers when there are no bike racks. Because he also uses his 'touring' bike for road rides, he didn't want the bother of a kick stand. This thing works VERY well - even under a light load.

[AnnieBikes]

I bought a click-stand http://www.click-stand.com/ when I was going on one of my long rides and I couldn't live without it! It is especially nice when on a supported, state, or weekend ride when there are lots of other riders and not many places to prop your bike. I keep it in my handlebar bag, easily accessible. It hardly weighs anything, works like a charm and fits YOUR bike, by your measurements sent to the guy who makes them. I use it for both my bikes, even though they have slightly different top tubes.

One recommendation would be to use velcro wrap ties instead of the brake bands he sends because they are so easy to lose,, or do not fit over the bar end mirror. I use the velcro to secure the click-stand in my bag and then I have them for the brakes when I stop.

[GrassyRidge]

Yep, I'm gonna measure this weekend and send off for mine!

[moderncyclista]

I have kickstands on my bikes. I do not want my 520 or my Aurora tipping over scratching the finishes. I have the rear mount Bontrager heavy-duty kickstands on both. Good, out of the way stand. Eff people who chide you for having one. That is pure bike snobery. Just like riding in skinny jeans, with handle bars the width of a pencil. Do what makes sense for you.

[Mmm4dmb]

I was always told "real bikes dont have kickstands" which I disagreed and fought with for soo long, now my road bike doesnt have one but I have a stand to put the back wheel in, I dont want a kickstand but Im sure they would be useful

[Catrin]

I just bought the 7.6 FX myself, and opted for the kickstand. I know that distance bikes don't typically have them, but I also noticed that it fell over in the store 3 times while I was shopping for tools and other things. I was also concerned it might mark up my apartment living room wall...

Is it purely a weight issue that the manufacturers don't put kickstands on them any more? I noticed an interesting expression on someone's face when I told him that I had done this

[Librarygirl]

Yes, I have also been told that kickstands aren't 'cool' on a bike, but I reckon, be confident in what you need, what's most functional for you, not what other people think looks good. I have a kickstand on my bike, I am thinking about removing it, but ONLY because I am very uncoordinated and scared that one of these days I'm going to ride off with it still down and have a big stack! I'm so paranoid that I'm constantly twisting around as I ride off after stopping to check I've flipped it up, which is probably just as unsafe!

[blackhillsbiker]

People have the same sorts of fits when you install strap buttons on guitars. I believe you should equip the tool with the parts that make it work the best for you. I don't have a kickstand yet on my MTB because I'm afraid it might catch on branches and etc. I have one on my commuter. It just makes sense.

Deb

[OakLeaf]

I am thinking about removing it, but ONLY because I am very uncoordinated and scared that one of these days I'm going to ride off with it still down and have a big stack! I'm so paranoid that I'm constantly twisting around as I ride off after stopping to check I've flipped it up, which is probably just as unsafe!

Ummmm.... are you sure your crankarm will clear your kickstand? Riding off with the sidestand is a possible issue on a motorcycle (a lot of m/cs have an ignition cutoff tied to the sidestand), but I can't even move my bici from its parking space with the kickstand down.

[sarahspins]

Ummmm.... are you sure your crankarm will clear your kickstand? Riding off with the sidestand is a possible issue on a motorcycle (a lot of m/cs have an ignition cutoff tied to the sidestand), but I can't even move my bici from its parking space with the kickstand down.

I was just thinking this. I think it's also a matter of habits formed. When I use my kickstand, I put it back up BEFORE I get back on the bike.. rather than after... then there's no chance of accidentally riding off with it down.

[moderncyclista]

"real bikes dont have kickstands"

I strongly believe in function over form. What is the purpose of the bike that you ride? Is it for racing? If so, you probably don't want a kickstand. Is it for touring and commuting - where you will carry heavy loads of food, clothes, sleeping bags, or laptop, work clothes, etc.? If so, you probably do want a kickstand. Is it for cyclocross or mountain biking - where you will be hucking over logs, riding rough trails, jumping obstacles?? If so, you probably don't want a kickstand. If I had an aluminum or carbon road bike I wouldn't worry about a kickstand. Commuter bikes however, need them for hauling in my opinion.

Basically, your needs determine the necessity of that purchase. No one else can quantify the reason you may or may not need a kickstand.

Bontrager makes a rear-mount kickstand (not center mounted) so you don't have to worry about it getting caught in your crank. It is very out of the way, if anyone is considering a kickstand.

[macski]

I agree with the prevailing wisdom about getting one if you need it and not being a slave to bike snobery.

I don't have a kick stand on any of my bikes (hybrid, drop bar road and flat bar road). In the recent cycling course I did there were 30 women and most of us had hybrids. Nearly all of the women had kickstands but several times their bikes fell over even though they had used the kickstands. Mine never fell over because I always leaned it against something and it wasn't victim to slightly uneven ground or strong winds (the main reasons their bikes fell over).

Also, on at least two occasions I saw people riding off with their kickstands down - fortunately I was able to warn them before something bad happened.

I haven't found the lack of a kickstand to be a problem but if I was loading the bike with groceries etc then I'd seriously consider it.