Fifty Plus (50+) - Tips for Propping Bikes Without Kickstands

So, when a tree or building is available, you could lean your bike against it, but you should engage one of the brakes so the bike doesn't roll.

What are some good tips about keeping your bike off the ground, when you're not straddling it? In a previous life as an Army medic, it was common to use "blousing rubbers" on your military pants. You would "blouse" your pant cuff with these short elastic bands with tiny hooks on their ends, so that the pants look like they're tucked in your boots. The point being something like elastic bands to press the rear brake lever towards the handlebar?

What do you use to anchor the (front or back?) brake lever ... and are there any other tips for propping bikes without kickstands?

I carry a small 10 inch strip of Velcro (two-sided) to use for emergency strapping of things. It can be used to hold a brake lever in or to strap the front wheel to the down tube so the bike doesn't roll of the wheel turn. There used to be a device called (I believe) the Flickstand that would do the same thing with the front wheel. Don't know if it's even made any longer. But the Velcro works well.

This thread strikes me as being equivalent to one on "how to keep warm in the snow without wearing a coat."

Cut across an old inner tube somewhere, then cut it again about 5/8"--3/4" away so you have a nice "rubber band" the diameter of the tube. This works best for a 700-25 size tube, as bigger ones might be too long.

Then use it slipped over the curved part of the drop bars and the brake lever, adjusting as needed to clamp the brake firmly enough to keep the bike from rolling. The tension can also be adjusted by how wide the rubber band is cut.

Store it over the top of the steerer tube/stem when riding, hooking it over the stem clamp bolts...you will figure it out.

Also works on flat bar bikes with 'regular' brake levers.

Note: I did not figure this out myself, I saw it in another thread somewhere on BF.

Lean the rear wheel/tire against the tree/pole or whatever. It won't roll. Retro grump that I am, I still use a (gasp) kickstand. bk

Carry a 6" tall flat rock. Using it under one pedal, bike will be supported just as though you had a kickstand. Just make sure to have the crank angle right so there isn't much lean, preventing the front wheel from flopping over. That way you don't need any superfluous bits hanging off your brake levers or clamped to the frame.

Round rocks may look more elegant, but are less functional. Large crystals are available in shops.

Your rock makes a statement; choose wisely. However, if you later find that your rock isn't compatible with your image, they (the rock) are easily recyclable.

Here is what you are looking for. Carry it in your bag, weighs only 75 grams. Elegant & stylish. Only need one even if you own several bikes.

The Click-Stand ...

http://www.click-stand.com/

I just lay my bike on the ground. So far I have been able to pick it back up.

Foregoing a carbon-based 6" rock (less than 900 grams), the click-stand is not a bad idea at all, and the tube-strip idea is good thinking.

I just lay my bike on the ground. So far I have been able to pick it back up.

But the dilemma is... laying it on the left side screws up the mirror and laying it on the right side is not good for the rear derailer. And when the bike is loaded down for touring there are lots of reasons you'd not want to lay it down.

Last summer I carried a special kickstand-like device that you wedge up around the bottom bracket to act like a normal kickstand. It seemed a little tedious.

If you lay your bike on the ground it can't fall over. That's not true when you use a kickstand.

If you lay your bike on the ground it can't fall over. That's not true when you use a kickstand.



Never had anything fall of the ground Yet.

So, when a tree or building is available, you could lean your bike against it, but you should engage one of the brakes so the bike doesn't roll.

What are some good tips about keeping your bike off the ground, when you're not straddling it? In a previous life as an Army medic, it was common to use "blousing rubbers" on your military pants. You would "blouse" your pant cuff with these short elastic bands with tiny hooks on their ends, so that the pants look like they're tucked in your boots. The point being something like elastic bands to press the rear brake lever towards the handlebar?

What do you use to anchor the (front or back?) brake lever ... and are there any other tips for propping bikes without kickstands?

There's always a tree or building or fence available. May have to walk a bit, however.

I carry a small 10 inch strip of Velcro (two-sided)
...
It can be used to hold a brake lever in
+1

Here's another one you can carry in a bag, the Greenfield EasyStand. It slips between your cranks and the hub, whenever you need it.

A bike will roll away when it's leaned against something? Really?

Anyway, my trike (which could roll away) has a parking brake. Apply the brake, push a button on the brake lever mechanism, and it holds the brake applied.

This thread strikes me as being equivalent to one on "how to keep warm in the snow without wearing a coat."

. . . and, so, you shiver in the cold and your bike falls over, or you wear a coat to keep warm and have either equipped your bike with a kick stand or have figured out some reliable means of standing it upright securely without relying on the kickstand.

The OP probably has figured out the coat part . . . this thread is about the "standing a bike upright without a kickstand" part.

So, humorous us with a response to the question, if you will.

Caruso

Lean the rear wheel/tire against the tree/pole or whatever. It won't roll. Retro grump that I am, I still use a (gasp) kickstand. bk

My LBS taught me this trick. If you make certain that the rear tire contacts "the tree/pole or whatever" at 1:00 and 5:00, friction at those points will conspire to lock the tire in place . . . it won't roll forward or backward.

You'd be amazed at how securely this arrangement will allow you to confidently lean your bike up against most any vertical surface.

If you are doubtful, feel free to lock either front or rear brake for added protection.

Caruso

Here is what you are looking for. Carry it in your bag, weighs only 75 grams. Elegant & stylish. Only need one even if you own several bikes.

The Click-Stand ...

http://www.click-stand.com/

Nothing wrong with that gizzmo - but I'd rather search for and go with a solution that doesn't involve adding another piece of gear to your package. For the price you pay to lug that stick around, you may as well go with a kick stand and be done with it.

Caruso

...and are there any other tips for propping bikes without kickstands?

This is similar to reiffert's approach, but without the rock. Dismount next to a curb. While standing on the side of the bike opposite the curb, use your foot to spin your cranks counterclock-wise until your pedal (laying flat) comes in contact with the stop of the curb. Assuming you're not on a slope, your bike should now stand up all by itself. I've never had a bike fall over in such a configuration.

P.S. I've heard about skiph's approach, but it was in terms of preventing folks from quickly taking off with your bike while you were stopping at the loo, buying pie, etc. (i.e., thief jumps on your bike, hoping to make a quick get-away, and is rudely surprised when it will barely move).

I use the velcro trick to set the brake when parking my LWB bent, especially when I have the lexan front fairing on it. The thick rubber band trick would work, too. Thanks for the tip!
If it is really windy I'll lay my bike down on its left side, although as David says, it screws up my "Fred Mirror!" But it has to be really windy to lay it down.
At a ride (CANDISC) for evening entertainment they had a comedian give a real funny routine. He brought down the house when he said "he figured out the difference between the cheap $200.00 Wal Mart Beaters and the $3000.00 bikes. The Wal Mart Beaters are parked held up with kick stands, the expensive ones are thrown down in the mud and dirt! "

I lean the bike against a tree, a wall, a fence or whatever is available without anything to hold the brake or wheel. I often use my pedal to support the bike on a curb or parking barrier. When it is windy or there is no convenient place to lean the bike, I just lay it down on its left side. No biggie.

This is similar to reiffert's approach, but without the rock. Dismount next to a curb. While standing on the side of the bike opposite the curb, use your foot to spin your cranks counterclock-wise until your pedal (laying flat) comes in contact with the stop of the curb. Assuming you're not on a slope, your bike should now stand up all by itself. I've never had a bike fall over in such a configuration.

P.S. I've heard about skiph's approach, but it was in terms of preventing folks from quickly taking off with your bike while you were stopping at the loo, buying pie, etc. (i.e., thief jumps on your bike, hoping to make a quick get-away, and is rudely surprised when it will barely move).

These are the methods I use and they work quite well. And the cost is just right.

You only have to lean your bike against whatever it is you want to lean it against with only the back tire in contact with the leaning post, tree, trash can or whatever. It will not go anywhere or fall over. Try it.

And then there's the forgotten art of propping up the bike against the curb with the pedal.

Two bikes can be stood up together by leaning them against each other facing opposite direction. I've used this trick a few times successfully.

Two bikes can be stood up together by leaning them against each other facing opposite direction. I've used this trick a few times successfully.

I have done this many times at rest stops on organized rides when all the good leaning spots are taken. It usually works just fine, but will lead to fallen bikes more often than solo methods.

Nothing wrong with that gizzmo - but I'd rather search for and go with a solution that doesn't involve adding another piece of gear to your package. For the price you pay to lug that stick around, you may as well go with a kick stand and be done with it.

Caruso

Except that the clickstand proports to be only 1/4th of the weight, requires no permanent attachment to your frame, and places no stress upon your frame's tubes. So not quite the same.

I have done this many times at rest stops on organized rides when all the good leaning spots are taken. It usually works just fine, but will lead to fallen bikes more often than solo methods.
Exactly. First choice is always a solid object to lean on.

I never lay my bike down at crowded rest stops, it's too easy for some knucklehead to step on it.:mad: Can you say taco, boys and girls? :eek:

Louis -

Godfreydaniel! You are using the same avatar I use on another forum!



http://bp3.blogger.com/_EABuPIKLAtM/RgH1uwf9U8I/AAAAAAAAAQg/fAAvor0SzGo/s400/Annex+-+Fields,+W.C._01.jpg

Louis -

Godfreydaniel! You are using the same avatar I use on another forum!



http://bp3.blogger.com/_EABuPIKLAtM/RgH1uwf9U8I/AAAAAAAAAQg/fAAvor0SzGo/s400/Annex+-+Fields,+W.C._01.jpg

Great minds think alike.:) Fields is one of my favorite comedic geniuses.

This is similar to reiffert's approach, but without the rock.... .


I was going to use that, but figured someone would mention that a curb isn't always handy. So, just carry a rock....

I've been, reflexively, flicking a kickstand down all my life. If I ever got rid of my kickstand I would still try to use it out of habit.

What have you all got against kickstands?

Great minds think alike.:) Fields is one of my favorite comedic geniuses.


You can't cheat an honest man. W.C. rules!

I've been, reflexively, flicking a kickstand down all my life. If I ever got rid of my kickstand I would still try to use it out of habit.

What have you all got against kickstands?


Same thing we got against attaching a playing card to your front fork to rub against the spokes so your bike sounds like a motorcycle, and attaching streamers to the handlebar ends. It just isn't done in finer velocipede society. For instance, you will look long and hard before you find a participant in the Tour de France with a kickstand on his bike.

Same thing we got against attaching a playing card to your front fork to rub against the spokes so your bike sounds like a motorcycle, and attaching streamers to the handlebar ends. It just isn't done in finer velocipede society. For instance, you will look long and hard before you find a participant in the Tour de France with a kickstand on his bike.

Wait! Are you serious about the playing card thing? Looks like I've got some detaching to do... :( :D

This thread strikes me as being equivalent to one on "how to keep warm in the snow without wearing a coat."

+1, lol

The length of your horns is a sign of wisdom?

50+'ers won't use them because then their bikes won't look like Tour de France bikes????

Even if I were anti-kickstand, I don't think I'd haul that one out.

I guess this is good-bye to Brooks' saddles for many of you.

50+'ers won't use them because then their bikes won't look like Tour de France bikes????


__________________



Exactly. Hey, you're only young once, but you can be immature for your entire life! Bwahahahahaha!

Wait! Are you serious about the playing card thing? Looks like I've got some detaching to do... :( :D


There you go. The first step is always the hardest, but that wasn't so bad was it? Remember tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life! Just say No to kickstands and streamers and playing cards and balloons!

But, seriously, there's always something to prop your bike up against, unless you're out on the Death Valley salt flats or something, and even there you can prop it up against another bike. Do you guys know how to prop the bike up along the curb using the pedals? Kickstands add needless weight. I can't think of any actual use for them. But of course it's none of my business what you put on your bike. If you like em, put 'em on. Put two of 'em on, see if I care. I don't care.

But, seriously, there's always something to prop your bike up against, unless you're out on the Death Valley salt flats or something, and even there you can prop it up against another bike. Do you guys know how to prop the bike up along the curb using the pedals? Kickstands add needless weight. I can't think of any actual use for them. But of course it's none of my business what you put on your bike. If you like em, put 'em on. Put two of 'em on, see if I care. I don't care.

Well, I doubt those who like kickstands were taking your approval in mind... Just sayin' :)

If you want to keep the brake lever pulled toward the handlebar, try using your glove around the bar and the brake lever. It's got velcro on it.

50+'ers won't use them because then their bikes won't look like Tour de France bikes????

Even if I were anti-kickstand, I don't think I'd haul that one out.

I guess this is good-bye to Brooks' saddles for many of you.

I definitely will ditch my Brooks when I race in the Tour de France.

In the "flyover" states, we have developed what is known as the "stick stand".

The price is right, and they do the job.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z90/gearloose_2007/HPIM0133.jpg

Nothing wrong with that gizzmo - but I'd rather search for and go with a solution that doesn't involve adding another piece of gear to your package. For the price you pay to lug that stick around, you may as well go with a kick stand and be done with it.

Caruso

That implies that people chose not to have kickstands because of the expense. Which is....unlikely.

In the "flyover" states, we have developed what is known as the "stick stand".

The price is right, and they do the job.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z90/gearloose_2007/HPIM0133.jpg

Post of the year nomination.

I have no problem with kickstands as long as they aren't on my bikes. I don't like kickstands because they can easily damage your frame, add one more thing that can get broken, require that I take a cleated shoe and attempt to kick something to make it function that is attached to a frame I'd rather keep as pristine as possible, and simply aren't worth the additional weight for the function they provide, IMHO. Even while touring I've found it eaiser to keep the front wheel from moving (either brake lever closed or velcro strap) and simply lean the bike against something.

So not quite the same.
Perhaps not the same, but still one more added piece to carry/keep track of.
If it works for you, go for it.
My son almost smacked me for considering a stand for my last new bike. I finally capitulated figuring that I would add it later if I found that I missed it. I haven't. Instead, if I do say so myself, I have become quite good at finding proper leaning spots. If you put the "lean-side" pedal at noon, you can often use it to rest the bike against a wall or a post or whatever - bike won't fall, can't really go anywhere.

Leaning that back tire against most anything provides an amazingly stable parking stance, and locking one of the brakes makes it almost impossible to knock the bike over unless you do so deliberately.

I still have a stand on my old Schwinn, and when I ride it, I will use the stand. I don't think my other bikes have ever fallen over, but, if I don't take care at the position of that front wheel on the Schwinn, it will tip over when leaning on the stand in certain situations (easily prevented if I pay attention when parking, though).

In the end, all should follow their own choosing.

Caruso

OK, some more fuel for the fires....

Had to do some scrounging to find this. Sort of a portable curb/rock (but lighter):

http://www.cleverbike.com/A_Better_Way.html

Don't know if individual ones can be purchased from the web site.

Our club was thinking of giving them out for our century last summer but did not.