Whatever happend to the Kickstand?
 

Thinking back, I always had a kick stand growing up, then at some point BMX bikes that kids rode stopped having them, then all of the sudden no one had them anymore. What happend?

Well...this is exactly why I prefer hybrids. It seems the people who market bicycles tend to do so at the extremes, and assume we are racing on the roads or in the dirt. Doesn't anyone just ride their bicycles in a mixed environment for fun? (road, trail, gravel)

As a casual bicyclist, I also appreciate lightweight and well built components, but not at the expense of reliability or practicality. Fortunately, my dealer threw in the kickstand for free with my new Trek 7500. Of course, my choice is not going to let me win any races...

I miss my kickstand... a lot.

Kicked mine into touch when it fell off the bike and I could not be bothered to get another one. Why spend good money on something that is not going to work when a wall is more convenient.

' pends on the bike...some of mine have them built in, others are add ons. Unfortunately they are not a one size fits all proposition. I have more than one that was cut too short and would not hold the bike up properly. Also parking on an uneven surface can be a challenge. I have found 2 solutions that work for me at this time, one is a double legged stand, the other is a long stick that looks similar to a fold up tent frame post, that you can flip open and it will support the heaviest bike when placed under the edge of the tubing near the seat. The guy that makes and sells them is a member on here but I can't recall what the thing is called:o

Aaron:)

Marketing types think "Drop kickstand and see if customers holler".
"Good, now we'll leave it off but not lower the price 'cause it's left off"
"More profit either way 'cause if they want one we'll SELL IT to'em!"

and customers didn't holler at all............:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I just got an "adjustable" kickstand for my hybrid/commuter. Pretty cool, huh? Sometimes there is no wall when I need one...

Fashion won over function.

This must be the real reason as to why the truly functional touring bicycles have two kickstands, forget that supporting the load stuff. :p

My touring bikes have never had kickstands...and I haven't seen too many come from the factory with them. Kickstands and heavy loads don't really work that well together. Have your bike crash to the ground because the kickstand either collapsed, the stand dug into soft ground or the wheel wasn't turned the right way and you'll soon pitch the thing to the side of the road. Bikes lean against stuff well or can be leaned against each other or, in a pinch, can be laid on the ground.

Don't need 'em.

They're available for just about any bike. I choose not to carry one around when most of the time I can lean the bike.

kickstand + mountain biking = nasty crash
if you make a left or maybe right(haven't had a kick stand in so long that i don't remeber what side they were on)
i will take the left had aproach, lets say the kick stand is on the left and you are turning left, and you hit a bump with enough force to pop the kickstand down it digs into the rock that just happens to be there and boom you hit the ground and then the bike hits you.

I must be stupid for liking kickstands. I didn't realize all the problems they create. Now I need to remove my dangerous kickstand from my motorcycle as well....and maybe lean it against a car in a pinch.

Kickstands are unneeded, anytime that i leave my bike alone it is locked up and if its locked up there is something to lean it against. Also, on mountain bikes, any trail riding or hopping of curbs and the kickstand makes that obnoxious twang sound.

When I am off of my bike, most often it is either indoors or locked to something. In either case, a kick stand doesn't serve much of a purpose for me. If I am just taking a break, I find it best to just lay the bike on its side. Things can't fall over when you put them on the ground to start with.

threee of my bikes have kickstands. I like kickstands. Bikes like to be upright. The most popular one (Greenfield) is still made in the USA!!!


below is NOT a good picture of a kickstand, just a bike standing up...

Mine was an option that I took when I bought the bike. I like having it there. I even put it down when I put my bike in the rack in the basement. I also use it after I pull my bike out of the stands to do the final preparations just before actually starting my ride. I wouldn't like a bike without a kickstand.

Kickstands went the same place that fenders and chainguards went and for the same reason. See below.
Not only don't holler but proudly chant the "the less (weight) is more (important than anything else)" mantra as a universal truth.

I have a kickstand on my commuter. Very useful as I fumble for a security pass to get into the office, or for my keys when I get home. Have not got one on roadbikes -- just think of the extra weight..... :)

I've got one on the hybrid and one on the touring bike. I like them. Sometimes, I lean the bike on something, anyway. No problem.

Now, if I had a road bike, I might rethink this. If I had a road bike, it would probably be for riding for the sake of riding, rather than going somewhere, if that makes a difference.

I don't know how anyone can actually claim laying a bike on its side is more practical than a kickstand for everyday riding. That being said, I do find I am fastest with a shaved head, after I have pissed, taken off my shoes, had liposuction, and removed the seat/handle bars. Not real practical for turns, but very fast!

BTW, my hybrid also has one of those lightweight and unobtusive chainguards. No more grease on me or my clothing...

I don't have a use for a kickstand with my current bike because it is either in my garage or under my butt, and in neither case would a kickstand be useful. But I'm pretty sure I'll want one, probably a two point stand rather than a leaning one, when I build my touring bike. And I'll have fenders and a chain guard on it too!

Off topic, but I have to ask: Where did you get that mudflap? I've been looking for one of those forever.

Well, the real problem, of course, is that the technology has not kept up. Where is my Easton CNT kickstand with Mg bolts? I want it to weigh about 2g and be wind tunnel tested!