Commuting - Need kickstand solution

I posted in the Touring section but I think I need more exposure.

I just bought an '05 Novara Safari and my chainstay kickstand doesn't work because the chainstay and seatstay connect to a rather large dropout (designed to allow conversion to disc brakes). The kickstand clamps onto the chainstay ok but doesn't reach high enough to catch the seatstay like it is supposed to to prevent rotation.

I was wondering if anyone has faced this problem or knew of other possible solutions.

no kickstand here

I have a rear dropout kickstand on my Jamis, it might work for you.

http://www.bikepartsusa.com/product_info.phtml?p=01-170098&large=1

That is basically the kickstand I have. It requires attachment just forward of the rear axle so that the top part can reach the seatstay. The Safari's rear configuration pushes the kickstand quite a bit farther forward so that the top part of the kickstand is just floating in the air.

Anyone have any experience with one of these?

http://www.phred.org/~josh/bike/esge2leg.html

Anyone have any experience with one of these?

http://www.phred.org/~josh/bike/esge2leg.html

Yep.. have a similar one of those on my C'dale tandem...love it.
I think the one I have may be more robust, but it holds up the bike even
with the paniers loaded down. None of that tilting around and falling over stuff.
In fact, I put the double on my T-700 when touring to support the mass.

Don

Thanks Don. Does it have any rattle or noise when on the rough stuff? What brand is yours?

That is basically the kickstand I have. It requires attachment just forward of the rear axle so that the top part can reach the seatstay. The Safari's rear configuration pushes the kickstand quite a bit farther forward so that the top part of the kickstand is just floating in the air.

Ah, sorry. Your first post said chainstay kickstand, which I assumed went between the left and right stays, in the traditional position.

I have the Esge Pletscher double kickstand (the one in the linked pic) and it works great. Mine does not rattle. I don’t know if the rubber I placed between the mating parts has anything to do with that. I cut the rubber sheeting just to protect my frame in that area. The kickstand comes at a length to handle large bikes. I cut my legs down so that the front tire floats around an inch or so above the ground. Then I went whole hog and got two Greenfield rubber feet and forced them on. They provide another level of anti-rattle because they hold the feet somewhat apart when it is in the up position. It’s all very stable, especially with the larger area that the rubber feet affords. But I find the stand not totally distributed, meaning that the angle of one leg is more acute than the angle of the other. A very heavy load to one pannier can cause it to tip, so load the panniers up wisely. I found that cutting the legs to be somewhat of an art, because you can screw it up and wind up with legs that don’t keep the bike level or worse, not meet the floor at all. My findings indicate that one inch of cut translates to two inches of height. There’s a thread somewhere on this forum where I documented my labors to get this cutting correct the first time around.

I also have a Esge Pletscher double kickstand on my Giant OCR Touring. Highly recomended. I second Savas' remarks about being careful when you trim the length--don't want to mess up a ~$45-$50 kickstand! I almost had mine too short when I changed tires, and the new ones were taller than the ones I had on the bike when I installed the kickstand. To make up for the slight bit of height needed, I inserted a 1/8" homemade shim between the base of the stand and the bottom of the bike frame.

Luckily, the ESGEs come with a cheater line for 700c bikes scored around the entire leg in addition to the broken cm markings.

But, just like a head tube, measure twice, take a step back, check one more time, then cut once!

A bastard file will help with any slight leg differences.

I think they work pretty well. even in dirt.

I just added a weighted front fender flap, and now the wheel stays straight (when there isn't any panniers on there) instead of jacking to one side or the other. I no longer look for something to wedge the front wheel in to keep it from twisting when I stop. Just toss the kickstand up, and the front wheel hangs straight.
Loaded with a front load, I still have to bungie the wheel to keep it straight.

A bastard file will help with any slight leg differences.

I just added a weighted front fender flap, and now the wheel stays straight (when there isn't any panniers on there) instead of jacking to one side or the other. I no longer look for something to wedge the front wheel in to keep it from twisting when I stop. Just toss the kickstand up, and the front wheel hangs straight.
Loaded with a front load, I still have to bungie the wheel to keep it straight.

LMAO - I've called my file some pretty bad names, but not a bastard!

The weighted flap is something I'd like to try. Bekologist, if you have a pic handy, please post it. I've been using a velcro strap around the tire and frame to keep it aligned. It's that handy type with hook on one side, loop on the other as one strip. Comes on a roll. Great stuff. When it's removed, I put it around the seat tube. But doing that every day is getting pretty old.

It was totally by accident I discovered a little weight on the flap lets the wheel hang straight!!

Let me charge up my bought-this-morning, brand new, waterproof digital camera, and I will post some pics this evening...

LMAO - I've called my file some pretty bad names, but not a bastard!

When I was doing my engineering apprenticeship in UK nearly 50 years ago, I learnt that was the official name of a particular style of coarse file.

a bastard file is different from your typical run-of-the-mill bastard.


Okay, here are some pics of my fender flap which keeps the front wheel aligned with a ESGE kickstand....

Thanks. Pics are small, just slightly larger than the thumbnails, but va-va-va-Voom! Is that a honey I kinda see on that flap? Where's the weight on it that makes the flap heavy. Was it a set of implants?

;)

That's one of my Long Haul Trucker mudflap girls....she's got all the curves, no implants needed!

I think any reflector or what not would do the trick, if its weighty enough. She's maybe 4 ounces of chromed metal with bolt on back.....

I'm going for it. A Hunt Wilde mudflap was included in my order of Greefield feet. I'll have to install it to see it's effect on the front wheel. I'll add some weight if necessary.

Anyone have any experience with one of these?

http://www.phred.org/~josh/bike/esge2leg.html

Yup. Several. On tandems, on a touring bike, and my icebike.

Love them. Work really well. Marvel of engineering. Makes repair of a flat in the rear tire easier because you can weight the front of the bike down adn keep the reat tire off the ground. I've even used it for light maintenance and chain lubing on tour. Pricey, but durable and well made.

I have one on a MTB converted for commuting its heavy but great,i have mine installed where you can have either wheel up in the air and the bike will still stand up by its self,great for changing a flat tire when the bikes loaded up,i have had it about two years and will be getting another for a second bike i am building up for commuting