Kickstand or no?

[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.

[Geonz]

When I got my first hybrid, everything I read said "no kickstand," so I didn't get one.

A week later, I went back to teh shop and they put one on for me (as if I'd gotten it with the bike, I might add, not additional). I'd missed it too many times.

When I got my 7500 FX, though, I didn't get one. Sometiems I miss it, but it's a much lighter bike so leaning isn't as involved. (Now that the original bike has an Xtracycle extension, I will eventually get a center stand.)

See what it's like without one... you'll know.

[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.

[Librarygirl]

Hey Oakleaf,

Yep, I checked my bike and unfortunately there is enough clearance between the crankarm and the kickstand to possibly ride off with it still down - I wish that wasn't the case, then I wouldn't have any worries. And Sarahspins, I do already flip the kickstand up before I get on the bike, but am easily distracted and just waiting for the day when I forget....already nearly did it one day recently on a bikeride with someone else - lucky they noticed and reminded me before it was too late. Hmmm, sometimes I wonder how I haven't had more accidents on the bike....fortunately I feel that the fun of it outweighs the potential danger

[sundial]

I've been toying with putting a kickstand on my Fargo but haven't done so yet.

Here's another option for a kickstand--Topeak FlashStand Slim. You can fold it up and carry it in your pack or jersey pocket.