Kickstand or no?

[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.