I've heard things like "I haven't had a kickstand since 4th grade. And, kickstands aren't for real bikes." I get there's a "uncool" perception thing, but why is it uncool? Seems the majority of cyclist share this sentiment without valid reasoning. I've tried not using one and it's a real pain in the a... Trying to continuously find a leaning spot is an aggravation at best. Are most cyclist that don't have one, so used to it they're simply oblivious to the inconvenience? Is their experience of "leaning" a bike, an art form developed over time where it's no longer much of an inconvenience?

Do you use a kickstand? If not, what is your reasoning?

No, because there's always a wall

And a breeze to knock it over.

because i'm always going to lock my bike to something, so it's got to have something to lean against. if it doesn't; i'm not leaving it there! plus, kickstands make a godawful racket over rough terrain.

For the most part a kickstand is unneeded. There is almost always something you can prop your bike with that is just as stable if not more stable than a kickstand. A kickstand adds weight and more importantly noise. It can deploy or get in the way when not wanted which can be very dangerous depending on the biking you are doing. And lastly on many bikes they are less than aesthetically pleasing.

My experience has been, there's almost always nothing to lean it against without having to move a number of feet that otherwise you wouldn't have had to.

Hence the pain in the a...

The joys of having a cheap bike= you don't need to watch over it like hawk and use kickstands

So, why not this then? https://upstandingbicycle.com/ It's very light, doesn't rattle and there if for some reason there isn't a wall and you need to get off your bike...

There are two valid arguments against kickstands.

1- they're inherently unstable, and bikes are prone to falling over. This is especially an issue with derailleur bikes, which are most likely to fall onto their right sides, possibly bending the derailleur and/or the hanger.

2- the common kickstand mounting systems are prone to crushing the chainstays on lightweight frames of better road and hybrids. This doesn't have to be, but experienced shop mechanics will confirm that it's all too common.

Other reasons include things like needing to put the bike against something anyway in order to lock it, added weight, that they get loose and become an annoyance, and of course that they're "uncool".

So, those are the reasons not using one, and can be weighed against whatever anyone's reasons are for using one, and a decision made, which is nobody's business but the owner.

For those that don't use one, how frequent are scratches, tears, dents and dings from having to constantly lean your bike on various things?

There is?



See: https://www.click-stand.com/

I see trees to use. I would use them, or just lay on the left side. KB

Because it adds too much weight.

Because it will damage the carbon frame.

LOL...and you'd probably be one itchy cyclist. Hence the phrase, "leaves of 3 let it be".

Carbon fiber...

Yes, that is something to consider. KB

I am a novice rider, but I use my kickstand often. I just got a beach cruiser, so I have no real clue what I am talking about.

If you want a kickstand get one, if you don't want a kickstand don't get one. You are an adult capable of making decisions. Why is there a need for validation of your life choices? Oh wait, because bike forum!

Here's a picture from today, a fairly typical shopping trip to pick up a new bench vise at Harbor Fright. At this little shopping area, there's no wall, no posts, I'm not sure the shop owner would want me to lean my bike against the glass, and since I can only lock the bike to itself, I want it to be in sight while I'm in the store. The bike stayed standing for the duration of my shopping experience, and is now shown with the vice in the side basket, ready for the trip home.

At the stores where I usually shop, rather than bike racks, they have rows of freestanding posts. I park my bike with the kickstand down, and run my cable lock to the post. Most of the other bikes -- much more fancy -- are sprawled this way and that, many with noticeably scratched up frames from getting knocked around while leaning against posts.

There are cyclists on BikeForums who would never leave their bikes unattended, or allow them to get wet or cold, or whose bikes are too delicate to accommodate attachments, or that could get damaged if not kept indoors on cushions. Those all seem like first world problems to me. [/sarcasm]

But really, it's a case where you can probably be trusted to make your own choice.

Yes...no...it depends.

I'm sure I'm not the only BF member who has bikes with kickstands and bikes without kickstands. My two commuter/utility bikes get kickstands for all the kickstand reasons. But for me, the biggest benefit to having a kickstand is when I stop to change clothing layers and have to either put something in my bag/pannier or take something out.

But then again, when I commute on my old road bike sans kickstand I either lean it up against a curb, flip it over or lay it down.

There are so many different types of biking that this should be a ridiculous question...EXCEPT, I find it interesting to think about why we do what we do. And to find out what others do. Because since joining bikeforums I have discovered practices and strategies that would not have entered my mind on their own and have enriched and improved my riding in ways I couldn't have imagined.

If this question were posited in the commuting, touring or utility forum the answers would probably skew towards using kickstands. In road cycling, single-track, or any competitive forum, very few would use kickstands.

But keep asking those questions and sharing those practices. And I will stop to consider them. And when I stop I'll use my kickstand, unless I'm on the bike that doesn't have one.

All I ask is that everyone ride safely, have fun and be blessed with good enough health to do both.

Edit to say... see above post. ^

You're waaaaaaaaay overthinking the post...

Actually, he's not. You asked a question, then argued against those who answered in the negative (why not to use one). So I assume you want to make a case for kickstands , which is fine.

But then, why ask in the first place?

There are reasons to use them, and reasons not to, and the balance depends on the specifics, so there's no reason to argue. Use one, or don't, and move on.

What?? LOL Where did I argue against anyone?

The sarcastic fella saying "If you want a kickstand get one, if you don't want a kickstand don't get one. You are an adult capable of making decisions. Why is there a need for validation of your life choices? Oh wait, because bike forum!" ...has nothing to do with info regarding a kickstand, either for or against, or why they are considered uncool by most.

And as the other guy said, we ask to to find out what others do to discover practices and strategies that we would not have thought of. It's informative and interesting to see how others perceive things. Once I feel I have heard and learned enough on a topic, pros and cons, THEN I will decide which way suits me best.

I can relate more to this scenery (on most rides), than buildings with walls to lean on.