Kickstand comment
 

I read through the kikstand thread, and was sorry to see that it was closed.
I probably have half a dozen bikes around my place, two that I actually still ride, an old Schwinn Le Tour expertly modified by the wizard owner of a now defunct LBS, and a Giant T-Mobile carbon frame bike also souped up by the same guy.

The Le Tour came equipped with a kickstand that is still in place.

The Giant had none, still has none.

That same wizard showed me what should have been obvious to me, to us, but I never thought about it.

If you find any upright surface (wall, pole, tree, post, whatever), where you can lean your rear wheel such that the wheel surface touches at a point above and below the horizontal diameter, the wheel will be prevented from turning, and the bike can be propped with surprising rigidity. It won't roll, won't fall over, and no part of the frame/handlebar, seat, etc. need touch anything.

I always felt a need for a kickstand until he taught me this. If I am out riding the Schwinn, I might use the kickstand, or I might use this piece of teaching from my old wizard (formerly head of tech for Cannondale, USA).

I wouldn't look at the kickstand issue from the standpoint of style or even weight (c'mon, most of us are not in the advanced class where the weight of a kickstand will make a meaningful difference in our riding).

I feel fortunate to have been shown this little tip. It really works, and some have watched me in disbelieving awe when I make use of some spartan four-foot high post as a point against which I can safely lean my bike.

I've yet to have my bike fall over, and I never have to lay it down.

Personally, I see no compelling reason to remove the stand from my Le Tour, no urgent need to add one to my Giant.

Happy riding.

Caruso

**********

I would love to try this, but I need a little help here...

"If you find any upright surface (wall, pole, tree, post, whatever), where you can lean your rear wheel..." - OK, with you to this point - let's assume a light pole.

"...such that the wheel surface touches at a point above and below..." - needs to be touching at two points on the pole? This, by definition, puts the wheel (and thus the bike) it in a vertical, unstable alignment.

"...the horizontal diameter..." - of what?

I really want to use this technique - please help me wrap my apparently slow wits around what is going on here. Any illustrations?

I am proudly, loudly ****.

Perhaps the OP would be kind enough to post a video on how to use this technique?

Dude,please just lock this. Has there ever been a kickstand thread that didn't degenerate into a mess?

Someone posted something about the upstand in the other thread. Thing looks really cool, but $40 for a glorified washer and mini tent pole? No thanks. I need to find a way to make something similar out of supplies I have at home.

Wow - sorry to ruffle your skirt! Yes, please lock the thread if it offends YOU; never mind the rest of us out here who might find this interesting.

Here's a suggestion - if you find kickstand discussions so offensive, when you see "kickstand" in the subject line JUST DON"T READ IT.

I think you just made his point for him!

Most other threads that have been locked have been about why they suck or don't suck. Maybe this thread can be about ways to stand your bike up :hug:

Sorry for showing actual interest in the topic rather than just making snarky comments about locking it.

OP - illustration please. I think I get what you mean but an illustration (picture) would be great. I ordered a kickstand for my Trek 7.3 fx because I need to park it in my office (in my room). I don't like resting it against the white wall.

I dont like kickstands.

usually they indicate a very low end or at least old bike. Have you seen a new carbon roadie for sale w/a k.s??

My very first pos raleigh MTB in the late 80's had a k.s. my first ride out it got hung up on something or my foot hit it, opened in the middle of a fast decent, and put me on my face. since then I have always held a grudge against them.

if you want to keep yours, enjoy. dont be surprised if you do a face plant.

+1
This thread needs pics.

No, but I don't think the reason for that is because they "indicate a cheap bike" or because they are guaranteed to deliver a face plant. The reason is a simple one, carbon road bikes are designed to be light weight and as efficient as possible. So nobody would spend thousands on getting the lightest bike possible and then put on a kickstand that weighs about a pound.


Thanks for the warning but accidents happen all the time. That doesn't mean getting a kickstand means that you should expect to fall off your bike on a descent (i.e., not be surprised if you do). Plenty of people ride bikes with kickstands without ever being in the unfortunate situation that you were in.

I am confused...and probably dazed as well. :eek: :twitchy: :eek:

Good points, I was justifying my initial statement as to why I dont like them.

I don't like them either :). I think they are a monstrosity and would never put one on my carbon bike.

Is this what you are talking about? There is nothing special about this method. People have been doing this for freekin ages. It works on the same principal as a kickstand.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps75bb1fc3.jpg

bingo :thumb:

You have the best pics :thumb:

Thank you very much. I am fortunate to live in a place with lovely scenery

Thanks for the illustration as I was not sure what the OP meant.

I just put a kickstand on my steel Terry. Handy even if it is a clunker.

My kickstand comes in rather handy on my 7.2FX (came with the bike from my LBS). Don't remember them telling me how dangerous they are.....;) Of course, it's pretty flat where I normally ride.....

I have a kick stand on my DS and regularly take it on uneven unpaved terrain in forests, it has never ever popped down, I have had all sorts of falls and never because of the kickstand, I think it takes a special kind of kickstand+rider in order to be brought down by it.

IMO there is very little that is "Cool" about bike riding, it is plenty of fun, but Cool.... and avoiding some accessory (or helmets for that matter from another thread that just got closed/locked) because it is "uncool" is sort of funny to me, but it may be just me seeing all these threads obsessed with how bikes look, pictures of "good looking" bikes, etc... I think I am a minority. For me, if it fits, and is comfortable, and goes where I want, how I want, it is a good bike. And I for one like my bike to be able to stand up therefore kickstand is nothing but goodness.

You get it.