I put a kickstand on my Tikit. It's easy enough to do a partial fold if there's no luggage on the bike, but if I have something on the rear rack, I prefer to be able to stand the bike. I had an extra Pletscher basic kickstand lying around; a few minutes with a hacksaw and it was just the right length. It doesn't interfere with the fold and it looks fine. I do have to lean the bike a little toward the right (away from the kickstand) to extend it; otherwise it hits the ground before it's fully extended.

I don't have a kickstand om my Swift, but I'm thinking of getting one.

Since I'll probably keep it as my primary bike, it'll be useful for groceries, etc.

I have a kick stand, but it is unable to stand up without a bike!

My experiment of not using the kickstand went well so I removed the kickstand from the bike today.

Not having a kickstand requires some improvisation (e.g. balancing the bike on the car's tire, see picture below) but it definitely doable in my usage pattern.

This shaved 200g from my bike and provides more clearance for the cables when the bike is folded.

Kam

I do not like stands and have removed them from all my bikes except the Dahon Curve as it gets used by other members of the family. It really gets in the way of the fold on the curve meaning I have to alter extend the handlebars before folding.

For me it is surprising that so many here are using kickstand. Can't figure why. On the other extreme there are weight weenies who easily pay €500,- to shave 200 grammes off (titanium screw set, carbon ahead cap etc).

Totally agree with the 200 grammes comment. Pay a visit to the bathroom before you set off; you'll save more weight and it won't cost you a cent! (I guess it might if you are out and they charge for the use of!)

I took mine off the Space Genie when I changed the rear wheel from 305 to 389...:rolleyes: Now it no longer fits as it is too short. If anyone wants it....:innocent: However, its no prob because the Genie folds like a Brompton anyway.

I used to mtn bike and always took off all the kick stands on all my bikes. It's just that inopportune time that i'll jump a curb or log and the kick stand jumps out and I'm almost tripping over my pedals with it.

So now out of habit I mostly get rid of all kick stands on my bikes cause there's always something to lean it on, else if I'm out in a field I'll just let it lie on the ground they're pretty scratched up already from branches and other stuff so it'll make no diff for me.

kick stands are convenient, however I have removed mine from my Mu P24 and replaced it with what amounts to a thick rubber band on the left handle bar. When I wish to park the bike somewhere, I just pull the rubber band over the brake lever ( two seconds ) and then prop the bike against something. It works well.

I have Stridas and Bromptons (and a few regular bikes), so I don't need kick stands - both these have stands as part of rack.

Anyway, I was brought up to think that kick stands were for grannies and girls :D