Hybrid Bicycles - Kickstand

Forgive a stupid question, but I'm looking at kickstands for my ride and I'm planning to kit it out w/ racks & bags for commuting. Do I need a double-kickstand to handle a heavier, loaded bike? Is there some awesome kickstand out there that I don't yet know about and which will make my life better than I could ever imagine? Is a kickstand a stupid waste of time and weight?

If you're putting on racks and bags, the weight of the kickstand isn't an issue. Something like a stand like at www.click-stand.com would probably be better than a standard kickstand. Or just lean it against something.

You don't really need a double stand. Pick your equipment and mounting location with care. I'm on my second one that mounts to the bottom bracket shell- and that one is getting ready to go away. I'm going to try for a Greenfield Stabilizer (http://www.greenfieldny.com/chart_bicycle.htm#stabilizer) next.

+1 on a normal kickstand and no they aren't a waste of time. Not sure why kickstands are so hated, they are a extremely handy for commuting and family biking. Why hunt around for a place to lean you bike on (and scratch it) when you can just use your own kickstand? I use the one that came stock on my Giant Transend and wouldn't be without it.

You don't really need a double stand. Pick your equipment and mounting location with care. I'm on my second one that mounts to the bottom bracket shell- and that one is getting ready to go away. I'm going to try for a Greenfield Stabilizer (http://www.greenfieldny.com/chart_bicycle.htm#stabilizer) next.

I've seen those around--what's the benefit to that style (hooking on the rear dropout?) over a regular kickstand (like one of these (http://www.greenfieldny.com/chart_bicycle.htm#kickstand), for instance)?

I second the Greenfield Stabilizer; it handles heavy loads just fine. It can also be easily cut down to size with a hacksaw should it prove to be too long, just don't cut it too short (don't ask me how I know that)!

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I bet many of us have that "extra" kickstand laying around because it was cut too short!

For a hybrid or touring bike, I like having a kickstand. On a lightweight road bike, you have to be careful if you choose to use a kickstand. Even using a Greenfield Stabilizer, there is a chance of damaging the thin walled tubing used to make the chainstays by overtightening the kickstand. Also, due to the light weight of some road bikes, it can be easier to blow the bike over when on a kickstand. I no longer use a kickstand on my road bike because the winds in my area could blow over the bike no matter how I oriented the bike in relation to wind direction.

On my hybrid commuter bike, I gladly use the kickstand, as it doesn't have the blow over problems of the ultra-light road bike and it has a kickstand bridge between the chainstays so I don't have to worry about damaging the aluminum chainstays.

Unless you plan to go on a fully loaded tour, I would think the double kickstand is overkill. I would go with a standard kickstand cut to the proper length or with a Greenfield Stabilizer before I would do a double kickstand.

Thanks for the advice, all--I'm going w/ the Greenfield Stabilizer; I like the look and idea, and it sounds sturdy enough for my purposes.

Question: Does it flip forward (towards the cranks) or backwards (so it sticks past the back of the back wheel)?

EDIT: Scratch that--found a pic here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/573248-Post-pictures-of-your-Hybrid?p=11205168&highlight=stabilizer#post11205168

+1 on a normal kickstand and no they aren't a waste of time. Not sure why kickstands are so hated, they are a extremely handy for commuting and family biking. Why hunt around for a place to lean you bike on (and scratch it) when you can just use your own kickstand? I use the one that came stock on my Giant Transend and wouldn't be without it.
Lie your bike on the ground, it can't fall from there. Kickstands work only on a flat, level surface.

That said, I do have a kickstand on my old, heavy bike. Can't really hurt it.

I'm real happy with this double kickstand.

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/chainguards-stay-protectors-kickstands/porteur-double-kickstand.html