Why Knock Kickstands?
 

I've read some posts around here that knock Kickstands? Just curious why this is? Are they for kids bikes only?

They have their place in recreational, touring, commuting and utility cycling, but are a no-no for competitive cycling.

Kickstands are illegal in 17 states. They are legal in Indiana, but I have found that they are not necessary.

Traditional accessory kickstands damage steel frames very easily. I have/had several frames with damaged chainstays.

Knock 'em?

As a utility/commuter/tourer, I only kick 'em.

I always found they didn't work that well (compared to a tree, wall or lamp post), were heavy, tend to rattle, get in the way etc. The one type I like is where the rear wheel ends up suspended off the ground, either on a big W shape, or on two separate feet, like on motorscooters.

Steve

Baloney!

I might have made that up.

Not all. Nor that many. Using a kickstand on a heavily loaded bike will result in a loud crashing sound at some point .

Usually I just lean my bike against something. If it is heavily loaded, I actually prefer to lay it down (cyccommute eludes to why above). Either way, I have never found much use for them. Use them if you like them, though.

IMO, kickstands are useless, because the bike always has to be locked to something anyhow.

I don't care if anyone else uses them. I have no use for a kickstand.

+1 - Usually they just lay them on the ground or really secure them to something.

It wouldn't be a Raleigh 3 speed without a kickstand.

In California it's a mandatory minimum of two years in the State prison.

No doubt! I have one on my Denault.

I've seen kickstanded bikes blow over in the wind too.

I'm still searching for the TI kickstand.
I'll consider CF... if I have to!

I don't knock kickstands. If you want one, you should have one.

What bugs me are kickstand fanbois who think I should have one just because they like them.

Is this for real?

I'm sorry, but they are just not cool.

Hard to tell. 83% of statistics are made up on the spot.

Wrong!! 83.02%

83% sure I might have made that up.

Maybe not. Two of my bikes have kickstands. The one comes in very handy. I use this bike as my walking the dog bike. When she needs to stop to do her business, I just hop off, put down the kickstand and wait until she is done. No need to find a tree or anything.

On my other bikes, I see no need for a kickstand. So I don't have them. I usually just find a tree, pole or something and use the pedal/sadddle trick to keep the bike up and in place.

I can still pose effectively, kickstand or no kickstand.