tripdaddy

I noticed that bike shop level bikes don't come equipped with kickstands. Other than the weight, is there a reason why they don't? Are kickstands considered "uncool"? Is this something that the masses always ended up removing or replacing with (better?) aftermarket items so they are just left off? Is there anything other than wal-mart/bell kickstands that are reliable and lightweight?

I basically have the same questions about bottle cages. My bike has 3 spots for bottle cages, but no cage was included. Any ideas?

Wordbiker

Don't worry, your question is asked every single day in bike shops across the country.


The answer is the same as why high-end bikes don't come with pedals: to give the consumer a choice. Not everyone will ride the bike for daily transportation in the city. If they do and need a kickstand, this is a "value added" item the shop can provide to sweeten the deal, or if not, a relatively inexpensive yet higher margin item than the bike itself to pay their bills with, much the same with water bottle cages.

A few observations about kickstands:

A bike laid on the ground carefully cannot fall over....a bike with a kickstand can and will.
Kickstands are worthless for soft dirt, which is why you won't find them on MTBs.
Most cities will have bike racks that make kickstands a moot issue.
Bracing the rear tire against a wall or post creates a kickstand that is weightless.
The noise a bouncing kickstand makes is like fingernails on a chalkboard.
If a kickstand extends while riding...you're screwed.

I have more than one bike with a kickstand and am well aware of the benefits and drawbacks. I like them, but not on every bike for every purpose.

tntyz

I bought a kickstand for my Trek 7500 when I purchased the bike and it's nice to have.

However, all the stuff Wordbiker posted is true. Plus it can chew the paint off your bike in a hurry.

dcrowell

My upright bike came with a kickstand, but now that I often use it to haul heavy loads for grocery shopping and/or commuting, I took the kickstand off, as it would not hold the bike up when loaded.

Without the kickstand, I am reminded to find another way to support the bike. I'd like to get one of those two-legged cargo bike kickstands, but haven't bothered yet.

rarebird

If your kickstand extends while riding, you're screwed....if you are riding backwards. Otherwise you're fine.

keiththesnake

I find kickstands perfectly acceptable. Three of my bikes have them, and they can be handy. Still, I don't know that I'd go out of my way to buy one. I'd probably just transfer the kickstand from another bike. As for bottle cages, I'd put at least one on the bike.

leooooo

My girlfriend's bike has a kickstand. Lookwise it's a fail.
But when we are standing around grabbing a drink or putting the bike on to a rack, that kickstand has to be one of the most amazing inventions ever. lol

StephenH

One thing that is not obvious is that the heavier a bicycle is, the better a kickstand works. With a lighter bike, it's more likely to get blown over in the wind, or be unbalanced with any kind of baggage on it. My bike is heavy, came with a kickstand, and I use it all the time, though.

JanMM

Quite possible to dent the chainstays or interfere with cables when installing a kickstand.

tatfiend 

I just installed the Civia Hyland specific kickstand on my Hyland. The Hyland kickstand clamps around the left side external bottom bracket cup so no chance of damaging the frame by overtightening. Practically invisible when up and I am finding it fine so far. Certainly convenient for supporting the bike when parked in the garage.

I have also ordered a Esge Plescher dual leg kickstand for my utility bike. See how it does once installed. IMO, based on my motorcycle experience, a dual leg stand should be more secure than most single leg designs. Dual leg stands are apparently common on utility bikes in Europe and Japan but are rarities here. The Esge Plescher and the Hebie Bipod are available here with some searching on the web. The Hebie is much more like a motorcycle center stand in design.

Sixty Fiver

My favourite stand is my Pletscher double as when the bike is loaded it supports the bike very well and makes roadside repairs and adjustments easy.

wahoonc

Kickstands have their place and all but 2 of my bikes have them on their (also have fenders, racks and lights on all but a couple too) There are several different types and brands of kickstands out there. I use single legged, Pletscher or Greenfield are good brand names, double legged, again Pletscher, Greenfield (if they still make one) and Hebie. If they are installed properly, cables, paint and tube damage are not an issue. I use the double legged ones on my city bike and utility bike.

The bike below has a double legged Pletscher on it. I did shorten it a bit after this picture was taken.

Aaron

LesMcLuffAlot

They want to sell you one, not include one. Most LBS's have them, but they get forgotten about. Just ask.

Condorita

"Cool" doesn't factor into it. Both Radagast the Beige-and-Black and Orion have kickstands.

chicbicyclist

There is a resurgence of commuter bikes and utility bikes now so kickstands are making a few inroads. Some would say it's mostly a fashion statement so I would characterize kickstands as cool nowadays.

Here's mine that has springs, adjustable height. The frame was built to accommodate it so most of the problems associated with third party kickstands(like paint chipping, damage the frame, etc.) don't hold true.




Hey Wahoo, how do you like those Basils? I've been looking into that one. Are they stiff(as in, do they hold thier shape when empty) or soft? Do you got any more pics? PM me so we dont go off topic!

Panthers007

Make 'em out of "Aircraft Titanium Alloy" and anodized into different (Collect 'em All!) color schemes. Hire some putz from a boy-band to be photographed with one on his bike - give him one - and listen to the cash-register sing! Take your money and get a nice MASI frame and have a blast.

rumrunn6

kick stands cost you extra, so do round wheels, anything they can scr*w you for, they will

JPMacG

I took my kickstand off because people told me it was uncool. I miss it. I'm going to put it back even if it is uncool.

JanMM

Yeah, that's why I don't use kickstands. The anti-cool factor.

Plus, they aren't needed in my world.

rumrunn6

paint it black and make it cool

capejohn

Kickstands can be nice but they are not necessary. A matter of preference, as opposed to being necessary or intrusive.

bobn

It just ain't a British 3 speed without a kick stand. Same goes for American ballooners.

Retro Grouch 

It's a favorite of mine too but, unfortunately, it won't fit on lots of bikes.

rbrsddn

My 1953 Raleigh Sports has a great kickstand. My newer bikes do not.

wrobertdavis

This is an interesting thread. I've been building up a commuter bike from an old forlorn Peugeot mountain bike. I've enjoyed it except for figuring out how to park it at the store. It doesn't lean very well. I added a kick stand this week and I love it.

On the other hand putting a kickstand on my Cervelo would be totally uncool. The poser gods would have me for lunch if I put one on there. There is no part of this bike that I want to lean against a brick wall or lay on the ground. Its just too gorgeous to chance a scratch. So I bought a click-stand (see www.click-stand.com) and it balances the desire for a kickstand with the "need" to be cool.


Bob