Bicycle Mechanics - Are flick-stands still being made?

This is a little gizmo that attaches to the tube near the front tire. You can put it into the down position that grabs onto the front tire and allows you to easily lean the bike without the steering mechanism turning, causing a fall.

No, but you can still find them for sale here & there. Search ebay for flickstand.

I've got one; seems kind of pointless, IMO.

They have their place and are simply fantastic when you need them. I just wish there was a braze-on for the little doohickey.

My all time favourite "flickstand" is an elastic (from a brocolli, etc.) around the front brake lever.
I keep a few of them stuck on a water bottle holder. Surprising how fast they get "borrowed" on club rides.

An elastic band around the down tube with both ends over the front tire valve does the same thing, and its 34 grams lighter.

An elastic band around the down tube with both ends over the front tire valve does the same thing, and its 34 grams lighter.

More like 47, buddy

I have one on one of my older bikes and I think that they were great devices. They are definitely not pointless. Using the flickstand allows me to lean the bike against something without the front wheel rolling backwards and the bike falling over. Too bad that they don't make them anymore.

They just sold two on Ebay: one new for 30+ bucks, and a used one for 20+ bucks. Wish I had a stash of THOSE puppies :eek:

Okay; I'm putting mine on ebay. Also have a generator off the same bike... wonder what it's worth?

They just sold two on Ebay: one new for 30+ bucks, and a used one for 20+ bucks. Wish I had a stash of THOSE puppies :eek:

Those were originally sold for around $12.-. That tells you something, demand for it is out there. People don't look for this type of gadget because of vintage value but they simply need it. It keeps surprising to me nobody comes up with the similar idea and market it. I agree with LittleGinseng. I wish I had the products and know how to market it.

People, don't fool yourself. Rubber band is no subsitute for Flickstand. The difference is taking a rubber band from the pocket and putting it with both hands or just a flick with one finger. You don't even need a finger to disengage, just push the bike forward. How convenient is that?

For now, I'm happy mine is still working.

I almost got that one for $30.00. I was in the home stretch on Ebay when I took another look at the box in the pic and noticed that it won't work for bikes with full fenders, which I had on order. So here I was one minute trying for it and putting a higher number in. Immediately after, I'm like "hey, someone please bid higher than me!! Luckily, someone did. With maybe 33 seconds to go.

one of my bikes has a little ratchet on the front brake lever that allows me to lock the front brake shut. handy, that. I wonder if those levers are generally available. The bike in question is a Danish cargo trike that is not distributed in the US..but I don't know about the parts.

An old trouser-strap works OK to hold the front wheel in place. It is a handy thing to be able to do, especially with a loaded bike or a bike on transit.

I have two in my parts box, and after I read this thread I went out and got 'em and I'm going to put them back on my bikes. I'm old enough now that I don't care if people laugh at me....

OK! The Flickstand is totally pointless. That's why it's no longer being made. Just take a heavy duty rubber band and wrap it around your front brake lever, while depressing the lever. This effectively lock your brake like the FLICKSTAND. And it's beautifully low tech, very effective, and very light weight. Some guy on Ebay is selling a VELCRO based device under FLICK STAND QUICK STAND BICYCLE BRAKE LOCK. It's practically weightless, and can be wrapped around the handlebar while not in use.

OK! The Flickstand is totally pointless. That's why it's no longer being made. Just take a heavy duty rubber band and wrap it around your front brake lever, while depressing the lever. This effectively lock your brake like the FLICKSTAND. And it's beautifully low tech, very effective, and very light weight. Some guy on Ebay is selling a VELCRO based device under FLICK STAND QUICK STAND BICYCLE BRAKE LOCK. It's practically weightless, and can be wrapped around the handlebar while not in use.

The point is not to lock the brake; it's to stop the wheel from turning and allowing the bake to fall.

My Flickstand on my Trek 400 broke after 19 years of use. I went to my LBS and bought another one for $11.99 - no mention of NOS or anything else. This is for my commuter bike, so grams are not an issue. These things work great, but you could probably use a velcro strap from the frame to the downtube to get the same effect.

A Flickstand keeps the front wheel stationary. An elastic will allow the wheel to turn. I have an old Flickstand on the vintage machine and I love it. If someone buys out the patent (if there is one) and started up production, I'm sure they'd sell. I'd buy another one for my Trek hybrid. Just be sure to make 'em for OS aluminum tubing.

Flickstands were made by Rhode-Gear* out of Rhode Island.

* - or Rhodegear? Sumthin' like dat.

I used them for a few years but I think what killed them off was the wide variety of downtube diameters and odd shapes. And, of course, weight weenie-ism.

I still have one for the "standard" 1-1/8" diameter downtube that doesn't seem to have ever been installed on anything. I only have one bike it will still fit and I never used it on that one.

Three years gone on this thread and still going. The options to replicate a flickstand are options but not nearly as convenient as the flickstand could be. You don't have to wrap and unwrap something. You don't have to wonder if it will wear out like velcro or a rubber band (19 years is pretty good service life).

I had one on my club/sport tourer. Very functional device. Fenders and downtube variations were it's only problems.

I just wish there was a braze-on for the little doohickey.

I represent that remark!

I represent that remark!

OK then, how 'bout thing-a-ma-bob.

flickstands were not pointless

they aren't made becuz no one but a few make classic diameter downtubes any longer

The last one I saw on eBay went for $40. I need one for this bike to keep the barcon from denting the toptube if it falls over when I lean it against something.

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/27862/2621993480068014369S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2621993480068014369gFjynk)

This is too funny... the velcro "flickstand" on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/FlickStand-Kickstand-Velcro-Bicycle-PARKING-Brake-BAND_W0QQitemZ380081715611QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item380081715611&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50) for 8 bucks!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Ef1uTXnu2rw/SR3KBMYNMLI/AAAAAAAAB3I/37m58brTjBY/s576/IMG_1807.jpg

This is too funny... the velcro "flickstand" on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/FlickStand-Kickstand-Velcro-Bicycle-PARKING-Brake-BAND_W0QQitemZ380081715611QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item380081715611&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50) for 8 bucks!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Ef1uTXnu2rw/SR3KBMYNMLI/AAAAAAAAB3I/37m58brTjBY/s576/IMG_1807.jpg
Quite a markup on a little bit of nylon strap and velcro! Plus, Flickstand does not equal Parking Brake.

The last one I saw on eBay went for $40. I need one for this bike to keep the barcon from denting the toptube if it falls over when I lean it against something.

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/27862/2621993480068014369S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2621993480068014369gFjynk)

Moustache bars are the worst for that. I'm using Velox bar plugs just so the bars end in something nice and squishy.

As a band-aid approach, many people loop a strong rubberband around the downtube and around the rim at the valve-stem. Depending on the strength of the rubberband, this works pretty well.

A nylon strap with velcro could be looped around the downtube and through the rim to keep the bike steady and the fork aligned with the frame. A small bungee cord could do the same thing.

I loved mine and still miss it!

I am the maker of the Velcro Parking Brake. I just use the Flickstand name as a marker for folks looking for an alternative to the old Avid Product. Anyone can make one of these, I just sell it as a convenience. A new version will be avaialble shortly. The new model will include a clip so that this lightweight solution doubles as a Cue Clip.
Note that the Velcro Strap is not meant to double as a Flickstand, as that product locked the front wheel in place while effectively illiminating the possibility of rotation of the wheel when the bicycle was parked.
The Velcro Strap does not lock the wheel in place of course. So, it's not as effective. However, I believe it still to be a practical alternative, and is completely universal for use on all hand brake bicycles. The Flickstand, clever as it was, was unfortunately rendered obsolete, when the bicycle industry moved away from standard diameter steel frame tubing. So, unless you have a tranditional, classic or older steel bicycle frame your pretty much SOL if you want to use the Flickstand. Other importand updates to the auction is a slight increase in price. The new auction will feature two Straps, both with the clip. This will allow the cyclist to lock both front and rear brakes.

Isn't interesting that these little devices move the bicycle from being merely a toy to a more practical device for transportation.

I was at my LBS the other day buying tubes, and casually asked the owner about Flickstands. His eyes lit up, and he said "$10" or "three for $25"; guess what I did! Mine aren't for sale, but you might want to ask around at your long-established LBS,and see if they have any in the back room.

A strip of velcro around front wheel and downtube works also. I use a velcro cable tie for this.

I have one of the original Flickstands in useable condition but no box and only the shorter of the two bail wires they came with. It's free to a good home. As pschaida mentioned above, you have to have the old "standard" diameter 1-1/8" downtube for it to fit.

PM me with contact info.

The Rhodegear Flickstand...

I had one of those in the early eighties! Wow, what a blast from the past. It was mounted on my gray Raleigh Competition GS with the 10-speed Nuovo Record gruppo... Loved that little thing...

Anyone remember the Cannondale velcro water bottle and cage? Now THAT was quite a gadget!

If I ever have to lean my bike up while I'm out ill just cinch my wheel down with a toe strap. Doesn't work so well if you ride clipless...

I just put a pebble or a twig in the gap above a depressed brake lever.

Glad I still have my Flickstand - in good operating order (I think I just put a curse on it). But you can buy a clamp and clamp it on the downtube. Then position clamp so the wheel is between the handles -like such: <- only tighter of course. Be sure to use a clamp with rubber pads on the jaws. Or have something soft to put on the downtube.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z284/JanMM/Scan10117b-1.jpg
Flickstands and kickstands on both bikes when my wife and I rode from Atlanta to New Hampshire to Milwaukee in 1981.

Anyone remember the Cannondale velcro water bottle and cage? Now THAT was quite a gadget!
Sure do. It took both hands to get the bottle loose when they were new and after the Velcro got a bit worn or the hooks got gunked up with debris, the bottle fell out on its own. Another one of those ideas that sounded good in theory but didn't work so well in practice.

I must be missing something, because I don't understand the need for this device, but you all seem to think it's pretty nifty...I just lean my bike against something and it stays there, unless, umm, it's on a steep hill.

What am I missing?

It holds your front wheel in place, turning the entire bike into a rigid panel. This ways you can lean the bike and the front wheel will not turn - preventing the bike from falling down and getting scuffed-up.

It holds your front wheel in place, turning the entire bike into a rigid panel. This ways you can lean the bike and the front wheel will not turn - preventing the bike from falling down and getting scuffed-up.

I can lean my bike's rear wheel -- and only the rear wheel -- against a tree, wall, or whatever, and it'll stand upright and not tip over. If I am being more careful then I just lean the whole bike against a wall, with the edge of the saddle and edge of the handlebar contacting the stationary object.

...I just lean my bike against something and it stays there, unless, umm, it's on a steep hill. What am I missing?
The hill part. The flickstand will keep the bike from rolling even if the bike is on an incline. Locking the front brake with a strap around the brake lever or a strap through the front wheel around the downtube will do the same thing.

Great photo, JanMM. Wow, that must have been quite a tour.

Last Analysis:

The Flickstand is one of those gadgets that, after using them, you want them to be around for keeps. They are so utterly convenient that you wonder things like: "How did I make do before I had this?" To: "These should come as standard equipment on ALL bicycles!"

Murphy's Law: Of course they no longer make them.

The hill part. The flickstand will keep the bike from rolling even if the bike is on an incline. Locking the front brake with a strap around the brake lever or a strap through the front wheel around the downtube will do the same thing.

The strap around the brake lever is not quite the same... the flickstand and the strap through the front wheel both act not only as brakes, but also keep the fork from rotating...

The strap around the brake lever is not quite the same... the flickstand and the strap through the front wheel both act not only as brakes, but also keep the fork from rotating...
Yep, I know. That's why I said the strap would keep the bike from rolling. I didn't claim it would immobilize the fork too. :D

For those that are truly retro, a stout 18" cord can be used to secure the brake or immobilize the front wheel.

Once the brake is locked, or even if its not on a level surface, you can make just about any object from about 4 inches to 10 inches high, into a kick stand -- any brick, rock, curb, toolbox, low bench, etc. Standing on the left side of your bike, move the bike next to and just to the left of the object that you are using for a kick stand. Move the pedal on your side forward, so that the flat of the pedal on the right side moves back and comes down against the object. Allow the bike to lean about 1 or 2 degrees against the object.

There! If you have a suitable object, in a non-windy (i.e. inside) location, the bike can stand all night that way. Guess I could post photos if the description was too hard to follow.

-- Mark