How many in this group use kickstands? I've been tossing the idea in my head about putting it on my touring bike but I'm not sure. The weight and other factors have me on the fence. What do you think?.

I personally do not but my wife loves her Bontrager rear mount adjustable kickstand.

I have kickstands on several of my bikes. But I did not put one on my road bike as I rarely leave that bike somewhere that would involve a kickstand, did not put one on my titanium bike due to concerns about possible frame damage.

My favorite stand is the Greenfield one that clamps onto the stays near the rear left side dropout. But I only use it on steel frame bikes that I am confident that there would be no frame damage.

I could have leaned my bike against one of two sign posts in the photo below, but why bother when you can park it almost anywhere?



This is probably the best photo I have that shows how it is attached to the frame.



With this type of stand, if the front wheel can roll on sloping ground, the bike can roll off of the stand. I keep an elastic on my handlebar that I can slip over the front brake lever as a parking brake. Photo below is from a different bike to show the elastic.



There is plastic wrapped around the frame under the stand. That plastic deforms over time, you need to keep the screws tight, they loosen over time. I use blue (removable) threadlocker on kickstand bolts.

That stand comes with a small rubber foot. If you put a lot of weight on the bike and park the bike on soft ground, the stand can push through the rubber foot and sink into the ground. I glue a big washer under the rubber foot to try to prevent the stand from pushing through the rubber foot. But on most tours the glue eventually gives out and the washer falls off, like here it just fell off.



But when convenient, I am not opposed to leaning the bike up against a solid building instead of using a kickstand.

That was a good explanation.

I used to use one but now don't. If I were to use one again it would be an old style double kickstand but my trend is a little more lightweight to justify the added weight currently. I have one bike I may add that style to when/if I find one that isn't stupidly expensive. It's a fully loaded design that has already thrown weight consideration out the window.

Mostly, if using a kickstand make sure it is designed/sturdy enough not to dump the bike. A cheap/flimsy model is worse than none at all.

Couldn’t do without kickstand on trek 520 (add on). However biggest issue when using or even standing at a light or stopped for a photo op is front wheel flop.

regarding kickstand. Must be sturdy enough to hold 30+ pound bike with 60 pounds of gear. Make sure bolts are tight from time to time.

last year mine began to unscrew without me knowing and subsequently bent the bolts which the snapped as I tried to unscrew.
now it’s part of regular checks to see that bolts are nit coming out.

the convenience far outweighs the weight.

Do kickstands or chain waxing threads bring out the most dogmatic posters?

If you want one, put one on your bike. You'll enjoy the convenience. FWIW, I've got one like Tourist; when the foot wore out, I bored a hole in a golf ball and glued it on.

If you don't want a kickstand, don't put one on (like my other bikes). Every time you ride the lighter, rattle-free bike, you'll think you're in a movie and the sun is just coming out after a storm as orchestral music swells. Every time you lean the bike up against something, you'll have to worry about whether it'll get knocked down and scratch your beautiful frame.

I have this double kickstand on my commuter. It has 2 distinct advantages over a single:
1) you can load up rear panniers unevenly (more weight in one pannier than the other) without the bike tipping over, since the stand keeps the bike left-right balanced, and with a wide kickstand stance.
2) because the rear tire is completely off the ground, you can fully pedal the bike by hand and make derailleur adjustments without needing a bike stand.

Rocks, trees, guard rails, sign posts, tables, curbs, walls, picnic tables, fences and even the ground are my kickstands. We part friends.

But as mentioned, do watcha like.

I like to defy authority.

Curious who the dogmatic posters are as so far it seems people are six of one half dozen of the other do what you want.

My suggestion for a sturdy/functional kickstand is that most of the times my bike has fallen over when trusting a dysfunctional one. Usually that hurts the brake hoods more than anything as the frame is protected by the panniers.

I use a Y stick to prop the bike on and a string tied around the rear brake if I need to stabilize the set up - such as on an incline or if it is windy. Otherwise, it sits OK the way it is with just the stick. It is very stable when set up - the long stick gives the set up a low center of gravity. With a short kick stand you have a much higher center of gravity. That could be an issue in windy conditions. When loading up a bike the object of the game is get the heavier stuff as low as possible. If you have weight up high that really screws with the center of gravity - and will also greatly decrease the stability of the bike on a kick stand.

Personally I prefer to do without one. If you feel the need for one, go for it.

Hey...no kickstand

I’ve mellowed with age.

This subject comes up on a huge Facebook touring group I’m a member of. Lots of preaching usually ensues.

I use, and love my Clickstand: Click-Stand Home Page. It's a custom made (and not too expensive) pole made to support your top tube. They also have you use a small bungie cord to keep your front or rear break engaged to prevent forward or rear roll. I have mine attached to my frame, and it's easy to remove and apply. If I know I'm not going to use it, I can easily take it off and leave it home.

The bike must be a Rough Rider, tour softly and carry a big stick

I went for years without a kickstand and finally got tired of trying to find a spot to lean the bike. I went big and mounted the Ursus Jumbo. It's heavy, but can handle up to 100 kg. Now, If I want to to stop for a pic or a pee, I don't need to hunt for a wall, post or a firm surface.


Also useful if you need to do wheel or brake maintenance.

I used to drive motorcycles that had both a center stand (double leg) and side stand installed. I understand the preference for the center stands that have two legs, but I would not use one on a heavily loaded touring bike. Bike frames are not designed for putting that much of a load on that part of the frame to support one wheel up in the air if you are running four panniers with weight on both the front and rear.

Photo is from a ferry waiting area near the GAP and C&O, they apparently did not want people leaning bikes against buildings, note the painted marking on the ground.




I made a stand similar to the Click Stand from a tent pole, use that on my titanium bike and on my road bike. Both of those bikes are designed with the seat stays close together where attached at the seat tube, that forms a small pocket that I can put that tent pole into, use a rubber foot from a trekking pole to protect the frame finish..

Of course the legs' length can be adjusted to leave both wheels on the ground.

Yes to a kick stand.

You've made 577 posts, of which a whopping 346 were new threads you've started. You usually never reply to questions or posts in your threads. You start new discussions about the same things, typically parts and materials. This is your 3rd thread about kickstands, for example. Why? Boredom? Do you even read the responses?

I am sorry to axlotl and any others who may be upset with my post .I don't remember everything I posted over the years. (All the Cancer meds I take doesn't help any.) Please forgive me. I just ask a simple question in regards for a kickstand for my touring bike. Again, sorry.

I am with macus t, as I went for many years without a kickstand. I use a basic greenfield, but made a custom collar that wraps around with a wing nutted pinch collar, which makes it adjustable length, and it has a 1- 1/2" (38mm) washer welded to the bottom, so it does not sink into sand.

Just use that fence.


Or signpost



Or random bits of maritime equipment



Or bits of stadiums



Or bridges



Or even the ground




Or various historic buildings





Or low walls



Or rocks



A bike leaning against just about anything (or laying on the ground) isn’t prone to falling over. I’ve had more problems with fall overs with kickstands than without.

I'm fine with "do what you want." I'm fine with "I do this because ..." or "I do that because ..." I'm not fine with "I do this and if you do that you're a moron!" Unfortunately, if you go back and look at previous kickstand threads, too many of them have devolved into that kind of flame war.

Ok. From the post I thought you were referring to something someone said here.

Other than "don't use a crappy one" I have no strong feelings either way. It's not a piece of safety gear, like a mirror or light, that might generate some sort of strong opinion to my way of thinking.

Yeah, I have read some of them too. And lots of non-kickstand threads too.