Surly LHT Kickstand Issues
#1
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 20
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From: Ex-pat American living in Thailand
Bikes: Surly LHT, & Merida Matts 40 MTB
Surly LHT Kickstand Issues
A good way to avoid the problems of mounting a kickstand on a LHT is to use a Clickstand. I made my own for a fraction of the cost by using 1/4" collapsible fiberglass tent poles. It's very strong and lightweight. It's easy to mount on the bike seat tube once collapsed. The only other addition needed is something to lock up the front wheel to prevent the loaded/unloaded bike from moving. I use a Bikebrake which is a silcone band which mounts on your left grip to lock up the front wheel. A cycling buddy of mine uses a strip of old inner tube to do the same thing.
#2
A good way to avoid the problems of mounting a kickstand on a LHT is to use a Clickstand. I made my own for a fraction of the cost by using 1/4" collapsible fiberglass tent poles. It's very strong and lightweight. It's easy to mount on the bike seat tube once collapsed. The only other addition needed is something to lock up the front wheel to prevent the loaded/unloaded bike from moving. I use a Bikebrake which is a silcone band which mounts on your left grip to lock up the front wheel. A cycling buddy of mine uses a strip of old inner tube to do the same thing.
Surly Long Haul Trucker and rear mounted kickstand???
#3
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 20
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From: Ex-pat American living in Thailand
Bikes: Surly LHT, & Merida Matts 40 MTB
Seeker, the problem with a traditional side mounted kickstand is weight of the loaded bike. I used a 2 legged one for quite some time before switching to my version of the Click-stand which works much better. Their explanation is that the chainstays are much too thin to handle a sidemounted kickstand. I figure they built the bike so must have some idea as to what will and will not work. I underetand they have a special plate for mounting a kickstand. The Click-stand which I described is easy to deal with and can be used on any kind of touring bike (loaded/unloaded). The Bikebrake is an easy to use and convenient silicone band which just slips on your handlebar grip ready to engage your front brake. However, as you say you can also use just about anything to lock up the front wheel.
Last edited by fdimike; 10-01-18 at 12:36 AM. Reason: changed info
#4
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Joined: Jul 2017
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Nut Surly dont recommend it and may void warranty
kickstands_on_long_haul_truckers
You can mount a conventional kickstand to a Surly LHT or Disc Trucker, and any short length of string/twine/cord will serve as front brake lever lock:
Surly Long Haul Trucker and rear mounted kickstand???
Surly Long Haul Trucker and rear mounted kickstand???
#5
#6
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 919
Likes: 1
Wrong link
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 919
Likes: 1
Thoughts?
Starting a post to customers with "Well for f*ck's sake. " and " Cripes. It doesn't pay to try."
https://surlybikes.com/info_hole/spe..._haul_truckers
#8
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 20
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From: Ex-pat American living in Thailand
Bikes: Surly LHT, & Merida Matts 40 MTB
Let me ask a simple question. What do you hope to gain by adding a side mounted kickstand on a LHT? This type of stand will surely fail to keep the fully loaded bike upright when you park it.. I had problems with stability on my loaded LHT using a Pletscher 2 legged center stand which is why I switched to the Click-Stand type. Now I can park my loaded bike just about anywhere without having to worry about it toppling over..
#9
https://surlybikes.com/info_hole/spe..._haul_truckers Read this carefully. They don't recommend it.
I don't use a kickstand, so my opinion about what type of kickstand to use is none, or perhaps a Clickstand-like device.
The purpose of post #2 was simply to share the fact that despite Surly's widely-read-and-argued earlier stated anti-kickstand position, they now sell an adapter to facilitate mounting of a kickstand, a fact not evident to many people aware of their earlier position. The OP left me with the impression that you were unaware of the existence of this kickstand adapter.
#10
From archive.org's "wayback machine":
2009.11.24 - original "kickstands are bad for LHT" blog
and >7 years later:
2017.05.22 - first appearance of kickstand adapter
"Once again you have wasted perfectly good minutes of your life you could have spent riding your bicycle. Hopefully in the future common sense will prevail, you will approach things thoughtfully, and there will be no need for us to write such things or for you to read them."
2009.11.24 - original "kickstands are bad for LHT" blog
and >7 years later:
2017.05.22 - first appearance of kickstand adapter
"Once again you have wasted perfectly good minutes of your life you could have spent riding your bicycle. Hopefully in the future common sense will prevail, you will approach things thoughtfully, and there will be no need for us to write such things or for you to read them."
#12
Seeker, the problem with a traditional side mounted kickstand is weight of the loaded bike. I used a 2 legged one for quite some time before switching to my version of the Click-stand which works much better. Their explanation is that the chainstays are much too thin to handle a sidemounted kickstand. I figure they built the bike so must have some idea as to what will and will not work. I underetand they have a special plate for mounting a kickstand. The Click-stand which I described is easy to deal with and can be used on any kind of touring bike (loaded/unloaded). The Bikebrake is an easy to use and convenient silicone band which just slips on your handlebar grip ready to engage your front brake. However, as you say you can also use just about anything to lock up the front wheel.
I am glad you are happy with your kickstand. This is one of the more contentious topics on Bike Forums, right up there with threadless headsets, disc brakes, chain maintenance/lube, tensioned-leather saddles, etc.
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 29
From: Madison, WI

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