Kickstand Options, Center vs Rear... What Do You Prefer and Why?

[Oldhippy]

I've had both centre and side stands and both have their place. If you are regularly loaded up with panniers all round a central stand is very stable. A good quality side will be fine for nearly every scenario. I did find it awkward at times fully loaded but not the end of the world.

 

[biggs682]

Thank you biggs682, that's very kind of you. I'm in the US. I'll find what I need somewhere locally most likely.

I thought you were

 

[a.twiddler]

I'm not someone who lies awake in bed sweating over the monstrous weight of accessories such as a side stand but for years I wouldn't fit one due to it spoiling my macho "image" as a "real cyclist". After all. there's always something about to lean it on. A few years ago I fitted one and found it so useful. I have them on all my bikes now.

I favour a rearward mounted one as the fitting spreads the load out unless there is already a dedicated bracket. I've read of cases where overtightened bottom bracket fitments have caused frame damage, especially to lightweight frames but I've never had this happen to me.

Sometimes, especially with panniers on, it's convenient to lean the bike on something but with a stand you just have extra options. It's particularly helpful in the garage where each bike is self supporting instead of leaning on other bikes.

If you regularly have front and rear panniers you can fit a stand to the front rack -possibly from one of the touring specialists such a SJS.

 

[Time Waster]

For years thorn cycles refused to support the use of bike stands, indeed iirc use of one invalidates the warranty. It's interesting to see they have created the means to attach one.

If you attach a centre stand to a very lightweight bike via a bolt clamp, on the seat stays then you're possibly being stupid. However most bikes I've seen with bike stands are not really lightweight but touring bikes, hybrid, Dutch, trekker or shopper bikes. One would hooen they're strong enough to cope.

I don't have stands. My partner had one on her hardtail mountain bike until I think a bike shop took it off as the mechanic claimed it would damage her seatstays behind the bottom bracket. She missed it but never replaced the stand, think it was broken and any replacement we got didn't work out.

Our son's last frog bike had one, current doesn't. We found his was only good on flat, solid ground not good on campsites when on tours.

I own a touring recumbent and wish I'd sourced one before my tour with it. Centre lowrider rack has a place to attach one but the manufacturer wasn't clear on which one was compatible other than Pletscher ESGE but there's a lot of varieties of that make and model.

We've always coped without even fully loaded touring. The only reason I'd get one for my recumbent is because it's not a good shape for leaning against certain things like trees, posts, etc. The USS and design I found wasn't great for leaning when fully loaded so I tended to lean against the lowrider panniers which isn't great for their durability even though they're ortliebs.

Pletscher ESGE are good ones and available in many styles, fixing methods and weight limit. Weight of your bike and luggage is important and cheap ones might not cope if you're touring. The brand I recommended are generally able to cope with higher loads than cheapo ones.

If touring then consider that US company that makes bar style stands, clickstand iirc. They're like a trekking pole with a hook on to hook under your frame. When not in use just stash in your bike somewhere. I've heard a lot of tourers rate them as they can't really damage the frame.

 

[Oldhippy]

If all else fails a long stick will work when touring if it is broken to length with a 'y' for frame to rest in.

 

[Tenkaykev]

It's really amazing that there are so many people here with the power of clairvoyance that can see everywhere I ride and that there are places to lean my bike along those places... as well as knowing what I and others do and do not need... that's really amazing.

I’ve a practical suggestion. If you velcro a broom stave to your cross bar, and keep a rubber mallet in your saddlebag, you’ll be able to use the mallet to drive the broom stave into the ground and lean your bike against it when you stop 😉

 

[gom]

I’ve used Esge Pletscher kickstands for 20+ years and found them very good.
I prefer (just) the seat-stay version, but use a BB one on my newish touring bike as (a) the disk brakes are such that the seat-stay one won’t fit, and (b) there is a mounting plate. (My MTB has disk brakes, but the seat-stay stand does fit.)
I use one with a solid leg and cut to length. And fit a ferrule/tip which appear to be readily available. (Those sold by Amazon are unisex - who knew?)

 

[si_c]

If I was getting a kickstand for a utility bike, I'd want one of those V stands that lift the rear wheel off the ground and mount to the BB area. They are so much more stable than the single side lean your bike over a tiny bit ones.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

With a kick stand you’ll be first to the bar at pub stops. Life is too short to be looking for somewhere to lean bike when there’s beer to be had.

 

[gom]

If I was getting a kickstand for a utility bike, I'd want one of those V stands that lift the rear wheel off the ground and mount to the BB area. They are so much more stable than the single side lean your bike over a tiny bit ones.

An advantage of these is that you can stand the bike with either the front or the back wheel removed. Good for fixing punctures when out & about. However I found you had to lift the back wheel off the ground to get the stand down, which got a bit tiring when loaded with four panniers & a tent. I switched to the seat-stay type.

 

[Nibor]

I had an Ursus Big Foot cenrte stand on my Katu very solid

 

[si_c]

An advantage of these is that you can stand the bike with either the front or the back wheel removed. Good for fixing punctures when out & about. However I found you had to lift the back wheel off the ground to get the stand down, which got a bit tiring when loaded with four panniers & a tent. I switched to the seat-stay type.

You should just be able to push the bike forward and the stand will collapse up.

 

[Chris S]

I use a kickstand to keep my wallpaper clean. Rubber handlebar grips leave black marks.

 

[T4tomo]

With a kick stand you’ll be first to the bar at pub stops. Life is too short to be looking for somewhere to lean bike when there’s beer to be had.

I admire your attitude, but would the extra weight have slowed you down getting to the pub in the first place?

In general - they have their place on loaded touring bikes and recumbents I guess, but not my cup of tea, but then I'm pretty much solely a road bike and gravel bike rider.

 

[gom]

You should just be able to push the bike forward and the stand will collapse up.

It was getting it down that I disliked.