Kickstand or no?

[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.