RhythmRider

Due to health reasons I have started to get into cycling. I have a brand new Giant Cypress. I was told by the LBS that most bikes do not come with a kickstand anymore. When I found this great forum, I notice that 98% of the pictures of bicycles posted here are leaning against a garage, wall or tree.... are kickstands passe? Is there a valid reason for this phenomenon? I can understand that some riders do not want the added weight, but everybody?

BengeBoy 

I have a kickstand on my commuting bike. I love it.

Having a kickstand is incredibly convenient. Plus, your bike doesn't get banged up in a bike rack as much, because you can stand it up instead of leaning it into the bike rack.

It's this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Greenfield-Mou...4506963&sr=8-1


Reasons not to have a kickstand:
- weight
- possibly marks the bike when you install it (though not the one I linked to above)
- dorky (join the club)

v1k1ng1001

One of the big things with kickstands is that they can compromise aluminum and certainly carbon frames.

Years ago Cannondale started to manufacture a kickstand that mounted near the rear dropout because their tubing would not stand up to an old-fashioned clamp style kickstand. In fact, installing such a kickstand voided the warranty, even on their CAAD 1 and CAAD 2 frames. Check with your manufacturer before buying something.

wahoonc

It is a form of snobbery IMHO FWIW I only have 3 bikes out of 7 without kickstands and 2 of those are waiting on suitable replacements Not only do I use kickstands I even use Double Legged kickstands The only two legitimate reasons I can think of not to have a kickstand; on an ultralight racing bike, or the kickstand is a POS and keeps loosening up. If it is the wrong "type" of kickstand or is improperly installed it can cause frame damage. I have seen a Raleigh Sports with crushed tubing because some ham fisted idiot overtightened a kickstand bolt. The best ones are the ons that have a block that fills in the gap between the chain stays.

Aaron

Machka 

Kickstands add an extra something to rattle and make mysterious noises. In most cases they are unnecessary. You can usually lean your bicycle against something if you have to stop ... or use the pedal against the curb trick.

JPMacG

I don't think there is any problem attaching a kickstand to a Cypress. Your bike shop can probably work something out for you.

I have tried it both ways. In my case, not having a kickstand was a major PITA. They do rattle sometimes, they do weigh something (about 3/4 pound), and they do make me look like a 'fred', but to me the convenience is well worth it.

DieselDan

Manufacturers quit installing kickstands as a BS cost cutting measure. The only bikes I get with kickstands are beach cruisers. Bike shops have to buy kickstands separately from another vendor and thus charge for them.

You also don't want a kickstand if you are off road riding. It can get jammed up with mud, jarred out on a jump or drop, and an impaling hazard in a fall. Road bike frames can't really accept one due to material composition or little clearance between the rear wheel and seat tube.

They are a bit dorky and only hold the bike up until it falls. Just lay it on the ground drive side up before it does fall over.

Retro Grouch 

As a general rule, the more money people pay for their bike the less likely it is to have a kickstand. I have 7 bikes at my house, no kickstands, no desire for a kickstand. Is not feeling the need for a kickstand or simply not wanting a kickstand a valid reason?

Jim Bushard

I use a two legged kickstand on my touring bike with my BoB trailer. That is only time I use one.

JanMM

Passe.

tsl

There's no place I park my bikes (including my apartment) where they aren't locked up. The lock holds to the stationary object, thus a kickstand is superfluous.

KrisPistofferson

I'd rather top tube protectors came on every bike than kickstands. Lots more practical for the commuting cyclist, in my opinion. Still, kickstands are way cool for certain bikes, like my Electra Townie.

SweetLou

I don't think it is BS. I am quite happy that they don't come with the bike. Since I don't need one, why do I want to pay for it? I guess bikes that come with no pedals is also BS? It just make sense to not sell bikes with kickstands or pedals, since people have their own ideas on what is needed.

With that said, one of my bikes has a kickstand. It is my tooling around the neighborhood/walking the dog/quick trip to the store bike. I don't use the kickstand often, but it does come in handy when I need to stop the bike so the dog can do her business. My other bikes don't need a kickstand since I am riding the bike, not parking it. Even if I do stop, I can use the seat/pedal/post method to keep the bike upright and stationary.

StephenH

It's all fads and fashions and trends. If every other bicycle on the road had a basket on it, you'd feel the need to have one on yours. And you could justify it, too. The same if every bike on the road had fenders. And you look back at bikes 50 years ago, and there's all those fenders and baskets. Those things didn't get any more or less useful now than what they were then.

Anyway, my bike has a kickstand, it came with it, and that's good, because I like it. Go on a charity ride, come to a rest stop, and everyone else is laying their $1000 bikes on the dirt, and I can just stand mine up.

Mr York

I utility cycle and commute with panniers. I also have the cypress dx and I love the kickstand. In fact I am probably going to upgrade it to a double kickstand.

DieselDan

You don't sell bikes do you?

deraltekluge

But drive side up is also disc brake side down...

HandsomeRyan

- Value of bicycle means bike is never unattended unless it is locked to a fixed object.

I lock my bikes to a fixed object when I'm not riding them. I lean them against whatever they are being locked to so I have never needed need a kickstand.

SweetLou

Nope. But I assume you think I am BSing. If this is the case, please explain to me why buying a bike with things on it that I don't want or need is good? If you want them, add them at the time of sale. Why drive up the price of my bike for things I don't want? I ride mostly road bikes but with SPD pedals. If pedals came with my bike, I'd most likely need to buy new pedals anyway.

retromullet

+1

MMACH 5

All my bikes have kickstands. I wouldn't have it any other way.

wahoonc

And why should I have to pay full retail for a set of pedals that should come with the bike as standard equipment? IMHO the best way, especially on the less expensive bikes would be to have them come with pedals and ask the shop to swap them for the ones you want. I won't buy a car without a spare tire...

Aaron

ajmstilt

I love my kickstand. Just like my car has roll up wiondows a spare tire and a radio, i expect my bicycle to have fenders, a rack, lights and a a kickstand.

But I don't race, i just ride my 20mile commute every day, my bike is a corolla not a farrari.

MMACH 5

Yea, but if I owned a Ferrari, I would still expect it to have roll up windows, a spare tire and radio.

HandsomeRyan

Many Ferraris do not come with a spare tire. If you can afford a new Ferrari, you can afford to have someone come pick you up while the car is towed in for repairs.

2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano V12 Coupe ----- $264,034 + $1,950 destination fee
Hand wash and detailing of interior ----- $124/mo.
1 year AAA Plus Membership (includes free towing) ----- $90/yr.
Having someone else change your car's flat tire ----- $PRICELESS

There are some things money can't buy; for everything else there's Mastercard.