Most of the snobbery here comes from the people complaining about carbon bikes, bike shorts, and team kits. They're the ones saying that people should tell other people what to put on their bikes or what to wear, but in the same breath, they turn around and say carbon rigs and form-fitting kits are nonsense. So what if people like their gear?

This is sort of odd to read because I just came across one in a bin of bicycle parts I've had since... forever. And I thought, "gosh, it's been a long time since anyone's mentioned a FlickStand®

http://werme.8m.net/biketour/flickstand.jpg

I still use a flickstand (made by RhodeGear...out of business...?) on my 25+ year old Soma Sport. It's the slickest little device that adds great stability to the bike and it can be leaned against anything without any worries it's going to fall. Even with different shaped downtubes I would think some company could come up with one...this is simple technology. A loop of velcro wrapped through the front wheel and around the downtube would be the prototype of this technology I'd think. It isn't often you see great simple technology fade out with no replacement. Odd.

You can google for a photo...here's one I found.

http://werme.8m.net/biketour/flickstand.jpg

lol :D sorry I couldnt help it

That's what happens when you don't read EVERY reply. DOH!

It's the small, hard saddles that make cyclists anal.

So baseball cards with clothes pins on the forks are ok??:)

I've been around long enough to remember when rack eyelets were standard equipment on "sport racing" bikes and even on some racing bikes. Those bikes also had enough clearance so that you could put wider tires on, if desired. The option of racks and wider tires were a great advantage to those of us who could only afford one bike and who used it not just for sport but as a real vehicle--for commuting, shopping, and light touring.

Some believe those were the best bikes ever built, and, ironically, to find something similar these days, you have to shell out big bucks to folks like Rivendell, Heron and a few other high-end botiique bike builders who are keeping the tradition alive. Although I never had a kickstand on any of my bikes, it doesn't surprise me that Rivendell still sells them. BTW, I hear that some people still race on Rivvies.

They are only ok if the card and clothespin both are carbon--and the clothespin's spring has to be titanium.

:p

What about hub cleaners? Is it OK to use them? You know, those strips of leather or heavy vinyl that you loop around the hub, sometimes with little reflectors at the bottom. I got some NOS ones on ebay. They're black so they match the front basket.

I know the card wasnt carbon, I think it was a Cal Ripkin rookie card!! DOOOHH!!

How weird.

I read this thread this morning, and later dropped by the my lbs to lend a hand and hang out a bit, and it turns out he has a bunch of these laying about.

So, if anybody really wants one, send me an email. They are NOS, but you might need to blow some dust off the box. As of this writing, I am not sure of the quantity available, or price asked; but that's easy enough to check.

NOS RhodeGear Flickstands are a rare find. Buy up the box and part them out on Ebay...:D

I beg to differ on you comment - not trying to start an arguement. If the engine is good a but the bike is crap then the power never gets to the wheels. Now put Lance on a stawberry shortcake bike and lets see who comes out on top - of course that is a pretty extreme example (possibly a talented BF member could provide us a picture).

Back to the OP's comment. What I have been doing for years is to setup the rear brake quick release so the closed position actually contacts the rim with enough pressure so the bike will not roll. If I have to take out the rear wheel I turn in the screw adjuster to open up the brakes. This is not convenient for the front brake if you take off your front wheel frequently.

I personally like the no lights on road bikes thing. Ill tell you what, after the time change in the fall you bring your pretty unlighted road bike and come play in amish country. 20 Miles from home no moon, no street lights and you havent seen a car for the last 20 minutes. ANd to top it off you know that your cell phone wont get reception. You had better have lights. or its a long dark walk home? Or maybe when it gets dark at 5 and snows you quit riding?

No lights attached permanently on road bicycles IMO. You can always clip a couple of blinkies in your back pocket and/or brake cables.

Or maybe you have a heart attack and get struck by lightning?

Its a little device that attaches to your break caliper that has a rubber tube on it and locks your front wheel kind of a parking break for your bike. I might still have one here i can toss on my flat bed scanner.

http://www.aztlanbicycle.com/lowride...%20stands.html

How about these kickstands? Who knew?

That ones weird. All the ones ive ever had attach behind the break caliper on the front and lock the wheel only. I never used them much as while they helped they didnt work well now i see why mine were total crap lol.

You can also get stands that fold up and will fit in a seat bag. They just clip on behind yoru crank arms.

I think you might be mistaking that device with the gizmo which scrapes debris off the tire surface as you ride.

Mine looks similar but not identical to that one. The purpose is to keep the front wheel from turning...it helps to keep it from rolling also, but that's just a secondary benefit. I've not seen one attached to the brake caliper...I can't even picture how that would work.

Hasn't this been done-to-death? Just put a kick stand on it and "fugitabawdit."

I was in Mackinac, MI this past weekend (no cars allowed). We rented bikes. I asked my girlfriend to hold my bike up about three times. She reminded me that my bike, in fact, had a kickstand.

Huh. So *that* is what that thing is for?