My two bikes with kickstands are both used for transportation -- commuting to work, shopping, etc. One is a dedicated winter bike. Both are gas pipe frames that can handle the stress of clamping a Greenfield stand.

I don't mind carrying an extra 280 grams, for more convenient parking. No, there's not always a tree or a wall. And while I live in a low-crime area, I still feel more comfortable locking my bike to something, even if it's not a super secure lock.

At most of the nearby stores, bike parking is hit or miss. Sometimes there are racks, sometimes not. Many bike racks are more ornamental than functional, and there often aren't enough for the number of bikes. Since childhood, I've found it convenient to let my bike stand on its own, and simply loop my lock around whatever is nearby. And like [MENTION=365305]kickstart[/MENTION] points out, loading the bike with groceries is more convenient when the bike isn't trying to tip over.

At my workplace, I expect people to move my bike if it's in the way. Nobody has to guess how to move a bike that's standing on its own.

Of all the ways to store bikes in my garage, I prefer kickstands. Five of our bikes have them. It's easy to move them around as needed. Adding racks or hangers would simply clutter the garage even further.

The next best thing is a Flickstand, but alas the one I have won't fit on the newer downtube diameters.

Kickstands seem to be one of those ideological issues of Internet cycling, that tends to be met with a shrug by most real world cyclists. Let's get back to talking about chain lubrication.

The best ever...

I'd like a good kickstand on my heavier errand bike but the one it came with was useless. A typical misfit chainstay crusher that wobbled and couldn't be trusted. So I removed it.

My lighter hybridized mountain bike doesn't really need the kickstand but I've left it on because it's a fairly unique German made doodad that form fits around the chainstay and seatstay. It's lightweight stamped steel rather than massive, heavy cast aluminum. Probably doesn't weigh enough to matter, but I might remove it because it clatters on rough roads.

None for me thanks, I just hang my bike in the garage, and let my trike sit.

BTW I cant find and kick stands listed for sale for my trike anyway.

Nice job!

For practical use I have enjoyed the convenience of kickstands, but like most I found that the drawbacks outweighed the convenience. Even loading down groceries, beyond a certain load I was better off without it.

For OP's objective, storage, I can see how it would be useful. But even there I think that the several alternatives suggested would be superior solutions. In fact, that axle stand and the DIY wheel stand are both intriguing solutions.

It's all a matter of choosing a quality stand suitable for the application then there will be no drawbacks.

I am aware of those kickstands. There are two serious drawbacks to that solution, from my perspective. Primarily, you have to carry that structure around with you, with all of the drawbacks that implies, and it would only be really useful in the one in 20 rides where I loaded up with 40-50 pounds even when I was car-free. And second, those are fairly expensive. Which isn't necessarily a factor if you really need it, but I certainly wouldn't recommend that for OP who primarily wants to store his bikes.

That's why I mentioned suitable for the application. My point being that kickstands aren't inherently flawed as some suggest, and can't be dismissed as such because some are cheaply made, or that one can exceed a given stands limitations.

BTW, I've found that stand for as little as $22.29

Sure I could see it as a necessity, if both a) there were no bike stands at the grocery stores and b), my grocery runs were made alone, and c) it was frequent enough. For me, the first never actually happened and the second very infrequently. I was actually considering a center stand about 7 years ago, but realized that the above was true and instead took all of the kickstands off. I've literally never missed them since then.

I'd rather have some kind of block stand that I could simply take with me on those rare occasions.

Still that only speaks of your personal preferences. It doesn't speak for the value of kickstands in general to those who want, and/or need them.
I'm not arguing that anyone's personal preferences are right or wrong, only the theory that kickstands are inherently flawed in concept and application.

Every bike Ive ever had came with a standard kickstand. Ive always used them regularly with no issues at all. Decades ago some of the heavy metal ones with springs would spread the spring a little too much over time and the stem would sag. You could tighten them somewhat but at that point if you had another spring fine if not get another kickstand.

I think they (or some other methods mentioned here) play an important part in keeping a bicycle in good shape for years. Too bad my kids never used the ones on their bikes. I couldnt count the times I had to pickup the bike, open the kickstand and stand accordingly. Damn kids lol....

i put my shopping in a backpack or back rack (have 1 bike with a rack for that purpose) but this forum is very anti backpacks, so the weight is off my bike, also a lot easier to shop at different stores, no need to remove the panniers and those 'jiffy' stands tend to sack

Some people don't like backpacks. Its a personal preference that can't be argued to be right or wrong, yet some still try.
I can give reasons why I don't like them, but I understand that there's nothing inherently wrong with them.

Thanks! I actually made another one yesterday, for a new bike that just joined the fleet.

How often? About half the time I used my bike to actually get places. As to weight, it is negligible. Most of my bikes weight around 30# none lighter than 24#, a kickstand is inconsequential. Really convenient when I forget my lock, and the brewery lets me roll it into their vestibule for safe keeping.

As to a real world example of where you can't use random objects to lean: my college was very adamant about bikes not being leaned against buildings and trees, and Facilities would drive around removing them on a regular basis, holding them for a $20 or so "ransom", aka parking ticket. I'm not about to leave it lying on the ground, as if everyone did that you would (and occasionally did) wind up with a pile of bikes to pick yours out of, so when racks were full it got stood up with a lock ran through the back tire so someone couldn't ride off.

Wall or tree?


I don't live on a dairy farm (it's a great job I had in my youth, but there were no girls for miles).

I have a kickstand on my old MTB, which doubles as a winter bike and trailer hauler. I've found the kickstand makes it easier to unload the trailer when I get home (vs. propping the bike against a fence).

Other bikes...nope. My other transpo bikes are only stopped outside when there's something to lock to, and at home, they live on the porch or in the basement (I've commandeered portions of both areas for bikes). My road bike doesn't have one either - no need, and I'm being just a bit of a weight weenie with that one.

Wasn't it you who said a kickstand is "must have'?

There is a pretty good case to be made that kickstands ARE inherently flawed in concept and application, even if they are useful in some rare circumstances for a few people.

I have a few bikes and only one has a kickstand, an old MTB in the garage. I wouldn't ride it though, not with a stand

this forum happens to be very anti, ive noticed over the years, has something to do with average age, average riding time and such so i somewhat get it, but backpacks are superior for random shopping

No it wasn't, I never claimed, or suggested that they are a must have, or that not using one is a sign of ignorance, bad judgment, or a character flaw.


There's a much better "argument" that they aren't inherently flawed, and actually are in widespread use, that's readily apparent when one looks beyond the rather focused perceptions of some performance orientated enthusiasts on BF.

As someone who finds them extremely useful, yet fully appreciates why others don't, the "arguments" against them seem elitist rather than objective.

Asking why one can't simply use a tree or wall is no different than asking why one can't figure out how to successfully use a kickstand.

Yes. I agree.

There seems to be a prolific "A" type clique that turns everything, including personal opinions into a competition.

Cat 6 experts.....if it's not my way, it must be wrong.


I don't know that I would agree that backpacks are superior for random shopping as I prefer panniers, but I did just purchase a Chrome messenger bag so I could run random errands on my bike that doesn't have a rack, because I do recognize there's more than one way to do things successfully.

Baskets FTW.

But when I'm on foot, I almost always have a small backpack.

My view is that a bike is an adaptation of our bodies to the conditions of riding. We all have different bodies, and ride under different conditions -- terrain, distance, climate, cargo, etc. So we all come up with our own adaptations. And of course we're affected by the aesthetics of cycling as well.

All that can be hoped for on a web forum is to share experiences and enjoy the conversation. Maybe somebody who is trying to decide what to do, can see that a few people have come up with satisfactory solutions under similar circumstances, or have discovered that something doesn't work. That's useful information, even if it doesn't point to a single definite answer to any question. Those who have been exposed to the Internet for more than a couple weeks, should already have realistic expectations of what can be learned from a web forum.

Way off topic, but I happen to like backpacks as well. Me and three other adults recently held a week-long youth cycling safety program. I was the "backpack" carrier loaded with first aid supplies. Two kids ended up needing first aid on one of our rides after falling off their bikes. My backpack was essential for that program.