Papa Tom

After years of trying to balance my loaded commuting bike on a traditional kickstand, I just installed a double-legged model on a whim. It doesn't really matter which one, but I chose a SunLite Pro-II, simply because that's what my local bike shop had in stock. Price: $25.

I only installed it about half-an-hour ago, but I already love it. In fact, I don't know why I didn't think about doing this before. It stabilizes the bike so much better, especially when it's loaded - plus, it automatically raises either wheel up in the air when parked, which will make repairing a flat on the road much faster and easier.

For anybody who rides a loaded bike that tends to tip with a traditional kickstand, I highly recommend trying one of these. Has anybody else had the same experience?

Giant Doofus

I've been using one for about a year and love it for all the reasons you've listed here.

jade408

Yup I got one shortly after I got my bike. Now it is a must have for all bikes with racks.

wolfchild

I hate kickstands and none of my bikes will ever get one. There are plenty of objects out there where I can lean my bike against.

kickstart

+1 for dual leg center stands.
+1 for traditional kickstand hate.

Always there anytime any place, no tip overs because of wobbly kickstands, no roll and flops when leaned against something, works equally well on hard and soft surfaces, works on hills, both sides of bike easily accessible for loading and unloading, handy for maintenance.

Papa Tom

Crap...I forgot that I might be opening up THIS debate again. How about we limit comments exclusively to folks who USE kickstands and prefer a DOUBLE kickstand over a SINGLE one?

Papa Tom

Oh, but listen to this, the package for this SunLite Pro-II model reads: "WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm."

WTF? It's a KICKSTAND!!!!

kickstart

Well?

Don't eat it!

Duh...........

I-Like-To-Bike

All depends on how you mount it.

blakcloud

+1 on the double leg kickstand. Wouldn't live without it.

dynaryder

I've tried the Pletscher and another model of double stand on my commuter. The Pletscher died after one year of use due to road salt corroding the spring and getting into the pivots. The second lasted a year and a half for the same reason. I now have a cargo bike,so I don't need a stand on my commuter any more. My Big Dummy has a single arm kickstand,but it works just fine with the extended wheelbase,and I'm not dropping the crazy money for the dual-legged model Xtracycle makes.

Murray Missile 

Put one on my beater bike a couple years ago and hated how low it hung, the beater went off road occasionally and the kickstand bottomed out. I took it off and put it on the shelf, last fall I picked up a tandem MTB with a rear mounted kickstand that worked fairly well but I needed to get the rear wheel off the ground so I could do some work. Double kickstand to the rescue! Love it on our tandem, it doesn't go off road and due to it's long wheelbase we have to be mindful of ground clearance anyway. I would definitely put one on a commuter or touring bike.

Buffalo Buff

+1

Maybe if I lived somewhere without trees, buildings, fences, bushes, signs or benches I would buy one. Probably not though.

Papa Tom

I didn't ask if you like kickstands. I asked if you like DOUBLE kickstands.

fuzz2050

I just got the VO double kickstand (My lbs told me it was the best one), and it's really cool. It's not that I don't have any things to lean the bike against, but it's convenient and kind of fun. Plus, my bike has a kickstand plate, so I figure I might as well.

bmthom.gis

I want to get a double leg kickstand myself. There is nothing to really lean my bike against at work - we used to all lean them against a wall leading in the kitchen break room, but after a lot of tire scuffs and whatnot the powers that be repainted that area, then we put bikes in the kitchen using a rack...some genius still managed to scuff a freshly painted wall - so now we have to put them in a storage closet. Well, my new bike doesn't fit the (cheap-ish) bike rack very well...if I back it in the fender gets in the way, and if I go front in, I have to be careful the wheel isn't resting on the spokes. So far, I have been the only one there (the other guy who commutes has been out of the the office a lot lately on various trips and meetings) so I haven't had to squeeze it in with his bike yet (though I know it is a tight fit with my rack and panniers and his super wide handlebars based on my old commuter). The single leg kickstand is definitely a bit too wobbly for comfort.

My bike also has a kickstand plate....and it is a dedicated commuter/touring rig. May as well enjoy all the amenities.

Three of my bikes have a kickstand. This one, my Schwinn Suburban (that thing is built in..there is no taking it off), and my Univega mtb - I have debated taking the kickstand off of that one, but it comes in handy if I leave it at my wife's office overnight. I don't think her employers would be as sympathetic to scuff marks as mine have been until recently.

My other 5 bikes (hopefully soon to be 4) do not have one

Buffalo Buff

More weight means its even less appealing to me

hueyhoolihan

Okay...

i USE kickstands and prefer a DOUBLE kickstand over a SINGLE one.

AlTheKiller

I think I'd rock a double on my new commuter. But not the big U shaped ones that clunk around. I like the double leg ones that hang together but then hinge out away from eachother to form the V when you kick them down.

But right now I just lean it against ****. With the front end loaded down I feel a double would really save some headaches. And if I ever put a rear rack on and do heavier loads, I think I'd like it even more.

FedericoMena

I got the Velo Orange one recently, and couldn't be happier. It's big and bulky and seems heavy, but I like overbuilt things anyway. It's amazing how much easier the bike is to handle when sitting still now - for loading/unloading/cleaning/maintenance...

CrankyOne

I prefer single kickstands or nothing for bikes that don't haul stuff but for my and my wife's primary bikes that often haul stuff we've always had center stands. Mostly Hebie. Can't imagine doing without.

Medic Zero

Love mine! I've got the Pletscher/ESGE two legged kickstands on my tourer (converted MTB) and my city bike (also a converted MTB). I detest working on my girlfriends bike on the side of the road as she refuses a kickstand. Of course, she usually gets to lean her bike up against mine, and doesn't work on it, so she doesn't see the need... :/

bmthom.gis

I just ordered the Velo Orange Porteur Double Kickstand. Can't wait to try it out!

rumrunn6

return it and get one that isn't harmful to anyone's health. no one should be selling stuff like that.

fietsbob

If you load cargo on your commuter bike a freestanding bike makes that easier,

If you are the stripped down go fast , always starting Late in the morning risking sacking , commuter... then you would make different choices .


A solid lock up rack at work should do the KS Job at the jobsite. Or the Grocery shopping .



My Koga WTR came with 2 single leg Kickstands, 1 is on the left side of the front Low rider rack..