Recreational & Family - Why don't bikes come with kickstands?

How do you store/park your bike without a kickstand?

It goes with the US idea that bikes are sports equipment rather than means of transportation.

Road racers don't like kickstands because they add weight. Mountain bikers don't like kickstands because they can get caught on vegetation on the sides of the trail, and also they can rattle, which they find annoying.

However, for people using bikes as transportation, a kickstand is necessary; fortunately, they are not difficult to install or expensive to buy.

Not installing a kickstand saves about 45 seconds on an assembly line, which translate to 40 more "completed" bikes a shift. So said the Raleigh guy at a bike shop I once worked at.

My leading awkward cycling thing, even beyond this one particular high-speed merge on my commute, is trying to put my bike on a rack that is covered w/ a bunch of no-kickstand bikes all stacked up on each other house-of-cards style.

There has been quite a bit of discussion on this topic. Try doing a search and reading the old posts.

I guess I never need to post anything I'll just read all the old stuff.

However, for people using bikes as transportation, a kickstand is necessary;

I don't own a car. I use my bike as my primary means of transport. I don't have a kickstand, nor do I ever find myself wishing I had one.

To the OP: eventually you'll realize there are always things to lean it against.

I went and did a search on the "kickstand" and attempted to read an entire thread. All I'm gonna add is that I'm sorry I ever mentioned it. Who ever thought it was such a controversial subject:rolleyes:

Here's the only thing with "kickstand" in the title that's worth reading: http://www.yehudamoon.com/index.php?date=2008-01-22

I actually enjoy my kickstand on my commuter. My LBS has been adding them to commuter and comfort bikes at no charge.

My Worksman Industrial Bike came with a kickstand, and the wife's cruiser from Wallyworld did too. It always strikes me as funny that people buy all these high dollar bikes, go on charity rides, and then have to just lay their bikes in the dirt when they stop at the rest stops.

Then again, laying a bike down prevents it from falling over. Kickstands always go on the left side of the bike. Then, when a bike falls, it falls on the right, bending derailer hangers, breaking derailers, and warping chainrings.

Wouldn't surprise me if it's largely what DieselDan says. Plus it saves the manufacturers money if they leave you to buy the kickstand later on (i.e., it is not included in the bike price). Add in the fact that many customers don't want a kickstand for one reason or another, and there you have it.

Experienced cyclists don't use kickstands simply because they are a totally useless bike dress-up accessories, like ribbons on your handlebars. Your bike is more likely to fall or be knocked over from being held up by a kickstand than it is being leaned against anything. Even if there's absolutely nothing you can do to hold your bike up somehow, it's not like it's a motorcycle that can't be laid down on the grass.

How does the bike fall over on the right-hand side? Kickstand means it leans to the left, and unless it's pushed or something, it should fall the direction it's leaning?

For one thing, many of the modern kickstands are inherently unstable because they are fixed way at the back. It only takes a very tiny push for the bike to fall. And then, kickstands have a tendency to dig into the ground or in hot pavement, and guess what, your prized bike ends up on the ground. There are very few instances in every day bicycling life where you can't either lean your bike against something so it doesn't fall, or use the pedal on curb method.

People who buy kickstands are probably not going to be doing group rides, but kickstands are often banned from those due to the danger they pose.

But it's not like I would argue with you if you want to use one. It's your bike. I'm just stating the facts about them. And no, I'm not some crazed fully-kitted racer type.

How does the bike fall over on the right-hand side? Kickstand means it leans to the left, and unless it's pushed or something, it should fall the direction it's leaning?

Mine always fell to the left. I had quite a few of those mirrycle mirrors break from falls, until I decided to remove the stand. Just a good blast of wind would often be enough to send the bike tumbling. A heavy load on the rear rack would do it too.

While I don't have one now, there are times when having one would be nice. Someday I may try one of those chainstay-mounted models, to see whether they hold up more securely than the behind-the-bottom-bracket model that I used to have.

I don't use kickstands but if you really need a rocksteady stand, I don't think there is one better than ESGE/Pletscher double kickstand (http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/270-esge-double-kickstand-p-53.html)

There has been quite a bit of discussion on this topic. Try doing a search and reading the old posts.

Such a huge pet peeve of mine:) Is there really anything left to be said about cycling that hasn't already been discussed in this forum ad nauseam? Should there be a post count set where after the magic number is reached all forums become read only? Or is the bigger intent to let people that dig on a certain subject while away some time talking to other people that dig on the same?

Such a huge pet peeve of mine:) Is there really anything left to be said about cycling that hasn't already been discussed in this forum ad nauseam? Should there be a post count set where after the magic number is reached all forums become read only? Or is the bigger intent to let people that dig on a certain subject while away some time talking to other people that dig on the same? Well maybe they should just lock ALL the posts and shut down the forum completely because I'm sure everythings already been discussed and if it hasn't it's probrably not worth discussing anyways.:crash:

Well maybe they should just lock ALL the posts and shut down the forum completely because I'm sure everythings already been discussed and if it hasn't it's probrably not worth discussing anyways.:crash:

That's exactly what I said:) The "try doing a search and reading older posts" line is my pet peeve.... Aren't we here to talk to each other about a pretty limited topic?? If there are ANY topics that are dead and need to be searched instead of discussed then logically all topics will sooner or later join the dead file and the forum should shut down. But that's not why we're here..... we're here to chat each other up:fight:

How does the bike fall over on the right-hand side? Kickstand means it leans to the left, and unless it's pushed or something, it should fall the direction it's leaning?

Murphy's Law.

That's exactly what I said:) The "try doing a search and reading older posts" line is my pet peeve.... Aren't we here to talk to each other about a pretty limited topic?? If there are ANY topics that are dead and need to be searched instead of discussed then logically all topics will sooner or later join the dead file and the forum should shut down. But that's not why we're here..... we're here to chat each other up:fight:You misunderstood what I meant by that. Perhaps I should have been clearer...

I meant that there had been a lot of discussion in the past, and that the poster might be interested in reading it.

As a kid I was riding around the neighborhood, went off a curb and the stand came down, did a hard left turn and the stand tossed my rear end a good ways up and out, came out of that really banged up. Not to mention the bike managed to get torn up from falling more so then the little nicks on the bar end and pedals from laying it down gently.

Also, if you're towing a little on in a trailer a standard stand is completely useless if they shift around at all.

I'm glad I'm not getting charged for a stand on every bike, Use that $10 for better brake pads.

We lean ours on the Jeep, it's not a bad place really.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i212/ritepath/TsCD-1.jpg
Make sure your jeep is always nearby.

crap double post....now how to use this space.


I suppose you could lose 3 pounds before installing a kickstand.

Laying the bike on its side works great until someone trips over it.

Or steps on it.

Experienced cyclists don't use kickstands simply because they are a totally useless bike dress-up accessories, like ribbons on your handlebars.

Oh Really ??? I now know to look to see if someone has a kickstand installed or not to determine if they are experienced cyclists or not. Should I also expect to see a card clipped to the frame so to rub against their spokes ??? :roflmao2:

I would think it is realistic to say that most sport riders who are concerned about keeping their bikes as lean as they can don't use them. It is just about preference and I tend to not judge other cyclists by their preferences even if they are different than my own.

One thing to consider is security of your bike. For some, you may not be looking for something to lean your bike against because you don't have a kickstand. You are looking for something to lean your bike against that you can lock your bike up to as well. Just to greater the chance that it will still be there when you get back.

Laying the bike on its side works great until someone trips over it.
Anyone oblivious enough to trip over or step on something as large as a bicycle (and really you should have your eye on it anyway) is probably stupid enough to bump into a bike leaning on a kick stand. It's a horse a piece, I'd say.

I prefer not having a kickstand because I can't stand the thing rattling when I go over bumps. The weight is also of some concern. I could use a velcro strap to secure it, but that would defeat the convenience of the kick stand if I've got to untie it first before using it.

Besides, a bike just looks faster without a kickstand on it. Anyone familiar with the correlation between performance part brand bumper stickers and horsepower in 4 cylinder compact cars can attest to the importance of that.

If your kickstand is rattling you can fix it or replace it. No need for a kickstand to rattle.

Its a cultural thing. The Bike Boom of the 70's brought the lightweight racer to the shores of America. These foriegn made bikes came without a kickstand attached. The good old American made Schwinn, which everyone grew up with prior to the 70's, had the kickstand builtin to the frame of the bike. The great kickstand debate began.

Today though, I think its a selling tool. The kickstand is the first add-on sale that a LBS makes. Then comes the pump, rack, bell, etc. The kickstand starts things off as the first must have accessory. And then leads into the other extras that go along with a bike.

What's a "kickstand"? :innocent:

O.K., bikes don't come with kickstands. So what's the big problem with buying one and putting it on your bike? Is it the extra money? That's probably part of the reason bikes don't come with them. bk

After reading about how freddy and dumb kickstands are, I think I'll go take the one off my Harley Davidson! I'll just lay all 720 lbs. of it on it's side, so it won't fall down. :)

Why don't more places of business install good bike racks? Now, that's the real issue. If more racks were out there we would have less of a need for kickstands.

A majority of bikes I see around these parts (central AZ) come with kickstands. Maybe it's a regional thing? My kickstand is solid (says Park on it) and never rattles. Of course, the racing/road style bikes usually don't have them. I would never want to lay my bike down in the tumbleweeds, goatheads, or on cement either. Hey, I'm not cool or hip, just practical.

It goes with the US idea that bikes are sports equipment rather than means of transportation.
Here's my "transportation". No need for a kickstand. Bike racks, fences, posts, etc all work just fine.
http://web.mac.com/ronhorne/Site/Rons_Bicycles_files/IMGP0350.jpg

Both of my bikes have kickstands. The old Varsity's Kickstand is worn out the bike theans too much with it. My other bike did not come with one, but the shop put one on for $15 when I bought it. It is annoying when you hit a good bump and it rattles.

My various other bikes that I don't ride as much have kickstands because I don't hang them up, THey are lined up inside of my garage

Going way back to the OP, many bikes do not come with kickstands for the same reason many bikes do not come with bells or lights. Some buyers do not want them. Other buyers want to choose their own.

It's just a marketing ploy and bean counting (decontenting) and profit maker (increases LBS accessories sales). For any other transportation (cars,truck, and motorcycles), consumers would be screaming about having to pay for things they consider should be standard equipment or was included in the previous year(s) models. Bicycling seems to be different with weight savings and "perceived better looking or looks faster/cleaner" if some things are not included (but the price of the bike is the same or has increased). Go figure.

Many would rather take things off and either save the parts for future use or sell them than to end up buying the same items if it is determined that a part is really useful and needed. Kickstands are one of those items.

A majority of bikes I see around these parts (central AZ) come with kickstands. Maybe it's a regional thing? My kickstand is solid (says Park on it) and never rattles. Of course, the racing/road style bikes usually don't have them. I would never want to lay my bike down in the tumbleweeds, goatheads, or on cement either. Hey, I'm not cool or hip, just practical.

Probably regional. No trees to lean a bike against, the tumbleweeds won't hold them up and forget about using a cactus.

I suppose you could lose 3 pounds before installing a kickstand.

That might be good for most of us. But that would be over compensation for a decent quality kickstand as they weigh about 10 ounces.

They do, if you pay the extra $15.00 to get one. bk