Besides the occasional removal from a CL find I don't deal with kickstands. The damage that these things can cause makes me shiver.

So when I started to put together a Fuji Berkeley mixte for my wife installing a kickstand never crossed my mind.

After having her take it for a test ride the first thing she asked was "where is the kickstand?" I stumbled that I don't like kickstands but that was not what she wanted to hear.

So now I'm in the marked for a kickstand. What would you recommend?

I should clarify that her bike will be used to ride around town. And it will have a rack with saddle bags.

Any inspirational pictures would be very much appreciated.

Bernard

My partner has a dual kickstand that he finds quite useful. I think it's a Pletscher.

I too say get a pletscher, they are good kick stands.

green tree stablize kick stand....mount on rear triangle.... less tube squish and holds the bike up better

Welcome to Greenfield Industries, Inc. - Freeport, New York - Quality U.S.A. Die Caster

Your are right to be concerned about crushing stays. Take my Motobecane Le Campion as an example - PO is accountable!
[IMG]LC_BB_00 by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

Here's a couple from my junk box, either or both are yours for the cost of shipping, if you can stand the sight of them. These are both the standard kind that mounts behind the bottom bracket. The purple one is ugly, but more adjustable (you could paint it, maybe?)



The kind I have on my Univega Nouvo Sport (my only kickstanded bike - it came that way) is one of these Greenfield jobs, cheap and plentiful on the big auction site, and work with a nice solid spring action "clunk."

For my money, a kick stand is one of the surest ways to assure that damage, to the bicycle, will occur and sooner than later!

Installation, alone can and likely will cause some crushing damage. Repeated snugging up, thanks to incredibly poor design, will increase that damage. And most kickstands are far less stable than a good solid wall, or fence or tree to lean the bicycle, carefully, against.

Heck, I would sooner lay my bicycle, even the really good ones, on their side, non-drive side, and on a soft surface, such as grass that I would use a side/center stand.

But that is just me. Perhaps take the time to explain to Mrs. You the hazards of the side or center stand. Don't forget to mention the extra weight, while your at it.

I have this one on my MTB. Don't remember why I wound up with this one but I like it and it seems sturdy. That center spot between the wheels is pretty difficult to deal with sometimes. This MTB may have had an issue with the fenders that interfered with that center mounting spot but I don't remember clearly enough for sure. Anyway if you are loading up a rear rack you might like this stand too.

I'm with you, but I'm not b dub's wife

Me neither. Got one already and one is all one needs, in my opinion:-) or :-( depending on the day and situation.

Wow, this ain't fair. Are the two of you implying I can't handle my wife???

Nothing to be ashamed of m8. I couldn't handle my wife and now she is my ex :-P.

Seriously, though... thanks for asking this question... I am not a fan of kickstands either, but there have been a few times, recently, that I really could have used one... I will be lurking in this thread :-)

I've been married almost 50 years....... I know how that works...................

p.s. same woman

[MENTION=104946]b dub[/MENTION], I'm sure your wife is a wonderful lady and that you two have a beautiful relationship. I say if she want a kickstand, get her one. Anything that makes someone want to ride their bicycle more often is a good thing, in my book. You know the potential frame damage dangers, so you can take the available precautions. First of all, does the bike have a kickstand plate? A lot of mixtes and other step-through frames do. Whether it does or doesn't affects your choices.

I would go for a two-legged kickstand if I were you. It's more stable and therefore more useful. Also, it eliminates the danger of the bike falling over with the stand out and twisting around the frame.

Copenhagen Dual Leg Kickstand - Chainguards, Frame Protectors, Kickstands - Accessories

two of my faves are Hebie (France) and Shuresta (UK).

Not at all. Don't know what the intent was of the other forum member, but in my case, I was suggesting an explanation of potential damage, nothing more. Once armed with appropriate information, she will be better prepared to make the call.

Handling people had nothing to do with my comment and sorry you took it that way.

Esge Pletscher (alloy) kick stand on a 1975 Raleigh Grand Prix Mixte

Randy, i took it all in good fun. No worries.

When I first got back into cycling every bike had to have a kickstand. Now....I've come around of my own accord & all kickstands have been removed. I've got a box of them.

So see...it an happen. Give her a kickstand for now & then be a good role model.

The best stands seem to be the ugliest and heaviest, I have one of the 2 leg center stands on our tandem. It works great but it IS heavy and seriously ugly, but then so is our tandem LOL. I won't put stands on my higher end stuff but the beaters/utility bikes get stands. As to potential damage to the stays as I recall the Berkeley was pretty far down on the pecking order and probably had HiTen stays and fork. If a kickstand makes it easier for the better half and encourages her to get more use out of the bike it would be a no brainer for me.

A while ago I snagged a double-leg pletscher but it seems to weigh at least a pound, I haven't brought myself to install it on any bike and I don't even know where it is come to think of it.

A few years ago I was selling a bike. We agreed on a price but money had not exchanged hands. He noticed the bike lacked a kickstand and wanted to drop the price by $20 or $25. The parts box of kickstands saved the day.

This is the best I've ever seen or used. Stable, light, extremely well made. Comes in black or silver. Civia Two Leg Kickstand (100110669) at CambriaBike.com

An Esge but only if it's still got it's little rubber foot intact

Greenfield. On my fancy Reynolds 531 bikes I wrap some electrical tape down there first to protect the paint. Always tighten them until you just begin to feel the tubes getting squished. The only bike I wouldn't use one would be something with Columbus tubing.

Greenfield KS2 285mm Bicycle Kickstand, Silver, Standard Mount