A Bike Is Supposed To Have A Freakin' Kickstand...PERIOD!
11-28-13, 11:45 AM
#276
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,427
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6252 Post(s)
Liked 4,277 Times
in
2,395 Posts
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
11-28-13, 11:59 AM
#277
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
I thought the 41 was the most opinionated sub forum in BF.
The commuter section is by far the most opinionated.
You're either left or right, there's no common ground, & people in here have no sense of humour @ all.
What if I admit to not using panniers?
Wait for it... ... ...
Now I must prepare to get flammed...
The commuter section is by far the most opinionated.
You're either left or right, there's no common ground, & people in here have no sense of humour @ all.
What if I admit to not using panniers?
Wait for it... ... ...
Now I must prepare to get flammed...
Personally I love kickstands. I just don't want any on my bikes.
11-29-13, 04:19 PM
#278
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Along the Rivers of Pittsburgh
Posts: 1,255
Bikes: 2011 Novara Forza Hybrid, 2005 Trek 820, 1989 Cannondale SR500 Black Lightning, 1975 Mundo Cycles Caloi Racer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 258 Post(s)
Liked 291 Times
in
157 Posts
When was the last time you go 2 or 3 feet of air off a jump? Or went off a 4 foot lip and landed on a pancake flat? Or tore across a field of baby heads at 20 to 30 mph? Or had to back pedal to make a hairpin after knocking the kickstand out of whack on that field of baby heads?
11-29-13, 04:43 PM
#279
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Bonney Lake WA
Posts: 31
Bikes: Erickson, Orbea Orca Bronze, Specialized Rock Hopper Comp w/Deore XT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have never had a kickstand on any of my bikes. My oldest bike currently in use is an Erickson frame with Campy C-Record. I had it built for me in 1990. It has two minor chips in the paint from rocks flicked up, but other than that no damage. I never lean it against anything that touches the frame, and if it is laid down it is only on grass. Occasionally, I will use the pedal to stablize it against a curb. I don't have a lock for it either, because when I am out on a ride where I go, it goes. That includes grocery stores.
12-01-13, 09:18 PM
#282
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,438
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,732 Times
in
2,546 Posts
funny you should mention safety levers. The bike racks at work are over-full on a good day, and a couple of weeks ago I jostled my bike out of the rack and one of the screws fell out of the safety levers on the bike next to it. Must have been holding on by a fraction of a thread. Unfortunately, I saw where the screw went so I felt compelled to put it back in.
12-03-13, 02:55 PM
#283
Motorcycle RoadRacer
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,826
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
funny you should mention safety levers. The bike racks at work are over-full on a good day, and a couple of weeks ago I jostled my bike out of the rack and one of the screws fell out of the safety levers on the bike next to it. Must have been holding on by a fraction of a thread. Unfortunately, I saw where the screw went so I felt compelled to put it back in.
Plus, I stay clear of bike racks, even with my beater!!
12-03-13, 04:05 PM
#284
Senior Member
Kickstand is very inconvenient.
- The bike is less likely to fall over leaning it on a tree than using kickstand on uneven ground. It's a pain to turn the bike every which way to find a good balance with a kickstand.
- I can lean a bike on something without any damage whatsoever in about 0.8 seconds. A kickstand would take a good second and a half.
- A kickstand has mass.
- A kickstand gets in the way.
- A kickstand forces you to lean the bike away from the wall, causing it to take up more space.
- If you happen to somewhere with no walls, curbs or trees (idk where that place might be...), lay the bike down. I've seen countless people lay down their expensive racing bikes. Contrary to common belief, a bike does not get hurt on it's side.
- The bike is less likely to fall over leaning it on a tree than using kickstand on uneven ground. It's a pain to turn the bike every which way to find a good balance with a kickstand.
- I can lean a bike on something without any damage whatsoever in about 0.8 seconds. A kickstand would take a good second and a half.
- A kickstand has mass.
- A kickstand gets in the way.
- A kickstand forces you to lean the bike away from the wall, causing it to take up more space.
- If you happen to somewhere with no walls, curbs or trees (idk where that place might be...), lay the bike down. I've seen countless people lay down their expensive racing bikes. Contrary to common belief, a bike does not get hurt on it's side.
12-03-13, 04:06 PM
#285
Senior Member
funny you should mention safety levers. The bike racks at work are over-full on a good day, and a couple of weeks ago I jostled my bike out of the rack and one of the screws fell out of the safety levers on the bike next to it. Must have been holding on by a fraction of a thread. Unfortunately, I saw where the screw went so I felt compelled to put it back in.
"I jostled my car out of the parking spot, bumping into several other cars on the way out."
12-03-13, 05:27 PM
#286
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,803
Bikes: Lots of English 3-speeds, a couple of old road bikes, 3 mountain bikes, 1 hybrid, and a couple of mash-ups
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 335 Times
in
225 Posts
I used to believe that kickstands were not necessary (and certainly not cool) until a runaway dog convinced me otherwise. Once I saw a Greenfield stabilizer kicktand, I was sold. I have 3, and will be buying another.
12-03-13, 06:42 PM
#287
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Posts: 403
Bikes: Bullitt Milk Plus with Alfine 11s; Dahon Smooth Hound
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
On my Dahon "Minibike" (not a folder) I don't have one. On my Bullitt I have a really practical one that is the width of the cargo bay, allowing for easy loading (including kids). The bike can stand sideways in a train on it with me using it as a tool to keep my balance, and it still doesn't fall over. I really like that. Especially after having had no stand on a bike for, I guess, 30 years.
12-03-13, 06:50 PM
#288
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
What did the dog say to you that was so convincing????
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
12-03-13, 10:19 PM
#289
n00b
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,397
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Twin Six Standard Rando
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
273 Posts
kickstands are dumb. if you have one on your bike, good for you. you're a doofus.
(for those who can't understand sarcasm, that was sarcasm. perhaps when such a controversial, heated topic as kickstands on bicycles comes up, all bets are off. it's a zero-sum battle for the soul of cycling when it comes down to such serious topics as kickstands.)
(for those who can't understand sarcasm, that was sarcasm. perhaps when such a controversial, heated topic as kickstands on bicycles comes up, all bets are off. it's a zero-sum battle for the soul of cycling when it comes down to such serious topics as kickstands.)
Last edited by mack_turtle; 12-04-13 at 09:30 AM.
12-03-13, 10:21 PM
#290
n00b
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,397
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Twin Six Standard Rando
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
273 Posts
no, that's a myth. every time I gently lay down my 30 pound steel commuter bike on any surface, it bursts into flames. if I lean it on a wall, everything within about and acre is razed in an explosion.
12-03-13, 10:32 PM
#291
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Posts: 403
Bikes: Bullitt Milk Plus with Alfine 11s; Dahon Smooth Hound
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
12-04-13, 09:03 AM
#292
Motorcycle RoadRacer
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,826
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Thanks to the OP for posting this thread. The first thing I do once I've chosen a bike (and therefore made sure it fits me and has the features I want) is to make sure it has a kick stand.
I can't imagine anyone who actually uses a bike for any practical purpose ever going without one. Where I stop and where I want to be is where I want the bike to stand. Now I can accept that road racers, or serious downhill riders might not want one, but these are not in my opinion 'practical uses' for a bike, they are 100% sport use. Sport use has different rules as to what matters compared to 'practical use' as a mode of transport to commute or get from A to B.
If your stand flaps about then it is the wrong stand (get a better one), and if your bike falls over you haven't set it up right.
For me, a stand stops the bike becoming a hindrance when getting ready to depart and once I have got to my destination. I have always had a stand on every bike I have owned, and always will.
I can't imagine anyone who actually uses a bike for any practical purpose ever going without one. Where I stop and where I want to be is where I want the bike to stand. Now I can accept that road racers, or serious downhill riders might not want one, but these are not in my opinion 'practical uses' for a bike, they are 100% sport use. Sport use has different rules as to what matters compared to 'practical use' as a mode of transport to commute or get from A to B.
If your stand flaps about then it is the wrong stand (get a better one), and if your bike falls over you haven't set it up right.
For me, a stand stops the bike becoming a hindrance when getting ready to depart and once I have got to my destination. I have always had a stand on every bike I have owned, and always will.
Luck to you,
12-04-13, 09:19 AM
#293
Motorcycle RoadRacer
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,826
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
As with you, I wouldn't even look at a bike with a kickstand, and they couldn't give me one. However, our uses and opinions don't have to be good for others. In fact, others can have views just the opposite of ours, and they be correct too..
12-04-13, 09:28 AM
#294
n00b
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,397
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Twin Six Standard Rando
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
273 Posts
I was being sarcastic. stating that everyone who has a kickstand is a "doofus" is a idiotic as saying that everyone should have one. yes, a kickstand is appropriate on some bikes for some applications, and a horrible, idiotic idea to have on other bikes.
12-04-13, 09:31 AM
#295
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Posts: 403
Bikes: Bullitt Milk Plus with Alfine 11s; Dahon Smooth Hound
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
12-04-13, 10:00 AM
#296
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Posts: 1,221
Bikes: '13 Diamondback Hybrid Commuter, '17 Spec Roubaix Di2, '17 Spec Camber 29'er, '19 CDale Topstone Gravel
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 590 Post(s)
Liked 445 Times
in
260 Posts
I have a double kickstand, and it's double wonderful. When I'm somewhere without a proper bike stand, which is almost everywhere but home, I can tripod it on the double kickstand and front tire with the rear tire raised, and fully pedal her without the cranks hitting either side of the kickstand. Can't do that with a single legged kickstand. Great for adjustments or chain lube. It's definitely heavier, but who cares, I'm not racing, and my fully loaded commuter still only weighs 38 lbs.
12-04-13, 11:20 AM
#297
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,905
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5891 Post(s)
Liked 2,742 Times
in
1,530 Posts
Not wanting to offend anybody, but I'm staggered by the amount and intensity of debate on what is basically a stupid question.
One might as well say that a hamburger is supposed to come with french fries (or cheese, lettuce or whatever) PERIOD.
Kickstands are an available option for anybody who wants them, and there's no reason to get worked up over them either way, certainly no reason to care what others think or do about them.
One might as well say that a hamburger is supposed to come with french fries (or cheese, lettuce or whatever) PERIOD.
Kickstands are an available option for anybody who wants them, and there's no reason to get worked up over them either way, certainly no reason to care what others think or do about them.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
12-04-13, 11:26 AM
#298
n00b
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,397
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Twin Six Standard Rando
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
273 Posts
wait, are you suggesting that someone could possibly eat a hamburger without french fries on the side? that's ridiculous. what planet are you from. hamburgers come with fries, PERIOD.
12-04-13, 11:31 AM
#299
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,467
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4252 Post(s)
Liked 2,966 Times
in
1,822 Posts
You fool, you forget the possibility of a milkshake and onion rings, which clearly negate the requirement for french fries. Besides, if you're going to do fries, chili cheese fries are clearly the way to go. You are obviously some sort of hamburger amateur and your opinion will be disregarded from here on out.
__________________
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
12-04-13, 12:24 PM
#300
bill nyecycles
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 3,328
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 789 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times
in
190 Posts
i think what gets me the most is that so many people deny the utility of the kickstand. i don't understand how finding something to lean against is easier than simply kicking down the stand wherever you are.