A surprising amount of modern bikes don’t come equipped with a kickstand. Perhaps they’ve picked up on a trend of owners not wanting them, or maybe it’s to do with the abundance of bike racks in cities these days. You can pick up a cheap bike kickstand almost anywhere, but many don’t stand the test of time. A good sturdy bicycle kickstand can last years and even outlive your bike.
Through our extensive research into bike kickstands, we found that lightweight, sturdy, adjustable bicycle kickstands that have rubber feet are the best kickstands to buy. Buying a kickstand that has a proven reputation for reliability and durability is absolutely vital.
- 1 The Best Bike Kickstands
- 2 BV KA76 Adjustable Spring-Loaded Kickstand
- 3 Lumintrail Center Mount Double Leg
- 4 BV KA70 Rear Side Bike Kickstand
- 5 Greenfield Kickstand
- 6 BV USA BV Adjustable Aluminum
- 7 A Guide To Buying the Right Kickstand
- 7.1 Types of Bike Kickstand
- 7.2 Side Stand
- 7.3 Double Leg Bike Kickstand
- 7.4 Qualities of a Good Bicycle Kickstand
- 7.4.1 Lightweight
- 7.4.2 Sturdy
- 7.4.3 Rubber Feet
- 7.4.4 Adjustable
- 7.5 Deciding if You Want a Bike Kickstand
- 7.6 Removable Bicycle Kickstands
- 8 Conclusion
The Best Bike Kickstands
Feedback from our readers suggests that what most people value in a top bike kickstand is the lightness, durability, and ease of use. Other factors, such as adjustability and effortless deployment mechanisms, are also important to consider.
Buying an adjustable kickstand will mean you won’t need to buy a new bicycle kickstand each time you switch bikes, so adjustability should be favored if you tend to switch bikes often.
We found spring-loaded kickstands to be the best bike kickstands for daily commuters who don’t want to be bending over and risking getting their hands dirty when they park their bike. These kickstands typically don’t cost that much more, and rarely compromise on quality elsewhere.
After compiling all the feedback and doing extensive market research, taking reviews and first-hand experiences into account, we’ve settled on a shortlist that features only the very best bicycle kickstands available. Here are the best bike kickstands available today according to our expert team of editors.
BV KA76 Adjustable Spring-Loaded Kickstand
If you’re looking for a kickstand high in quality and value, you won’t find much better than the KA76. BV’s unique design looks incredibly sleek and simple. The controls for adjusting it are tucked away out of sight but are easy to get to when you need them.
The fact you don’t need any tools to adjust the kickstand makes using it really simple. It’s made out of an aluminum alloy that makes for an incredibly sturdy, yet light (less than a pound) kickstand that you’ll barely notice while riding.
Lumintrail Center Mount Double Leg
Double leg kickstands are a bit harder to come by than the single-legged variants. You can adjust the length of the legs using a convenient button, this means there’s no need to carry tools while you’re out on your travels.
This centered double-leg kickstand is perfect for those of you with heavier bikes that don’t feel safe resting on a single leg. It doesn’t cost much more than a single-legged bike stand, and the quality is great with a very reasonable price tag.
BV KA70 Rear Side Bike Kickstand
If you’re looking for a rear side kickstand, you’ll love the BV KA70. This elegant looking kickstand from BV is another excellent example of how kickstands should be made. It will take you around 5 minutes to install it, and once it’s ready it feels sturdy as a rock.
The adjustable design is easy to get the hang of, and you’ll be able to pop your bike down anywhere regardless of the ground. It’s available in two different finishes; black or polished silver. Protective plastic grips at the foot stops your bike slipping. While the same protective grip at the clamp side protects your bike’s frame from any damage while fitting.
Greenfield Kickstand
If you’re looking for a kickstand on a tight budget, this kickstand from Greenfield is a very worthy option. It doesn’t look the prettiest, but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in functionality. It’s strong as they come, with a single moving part that reduces possible points of failure.
At 285mm It’s designed to fit most standard lightweight and midsized bikes. That said, the rubber tip is detachable so if you have a DIY streak in you, cutting it down and reattaching the rubber is also an option. You get a choice of two different finishes, with black and brushed aluminum options available.
BV USA BV Adjustable Aluminum
Next up we’ve got another excellent kickstand from BV, this time the KA36 center kickstand. The adjustable push-button is much less concealed than with the other two BV models we’ve looked at, but it’s still just as easy to use. Although it’s a little cheaper what you’d expect from BV, it’s still got a very durable feel to it.
The variable angle stance means you can rely on it holding your bike up even on uneven ground. As with all the kickstands we’ve seen from BV, installation is effortless. The non-slip sole with a wide plastic foot prevents you slipping and sinking in mud. This is a great choice for those of you who need to use your kickstand off-road.
A Guide To Buying the Right Kickstand
There was a time where you didn’t need to worry about buying a bike stand. This was because most bikes were sold with them built-in. That’s changed and it could down to fashion or perhaps accessibility of bike racks, either way, kickstands are still widely used. In this section of the article, we’ll be exploring what you should look for in a good quality kickstand for your bike.
Types of Bike Kickstand
Bike kickstands come in different heights and sizes depending on the size of your bike. The biggest variable with bike kickstands is the number of legs they have. Most bikes can accommodate either a single or double legged kickstand, it depends on your preference. Let’s take a look at some of these in more depth.
Side Stand
This simple but brilliant design is a single leg that flips out to the side. These stands are often spring-loaded. This allows you to lean the bike over and have it stay mostly upright.
Most often, the side stand is on the left, but that isn’t a requirement. These kickstands can be bolted or welded onto the frame. This type of kickstand is often all you need for a road, mountain, or daily commuter bike.
- Advantages: These are widely available and can be found for less than 10 dollars.
- Disadvantages: They will not fit every bike, particularly high-performance bikes, because they do not have space for them. A single stand will also block the pedals from moving when it is down. That may seem like a good thing until you go to back your bike out of your garage or wherever you keep it.
Double Leg Bike Kickstand
If you find yourself riding a particularly heavy bike, you may need the added stability of a double leg bicycle kickstand. Examples of people who may need this are those who deliver heavy cargo, who have an electric or motorized bike, or touring bicyclists.
These work similarly to the single leg but drop straight down instead of going to the side. You will find these on motorcycles more often than pedal-bikes, but they are gaining in popularity among cyclists.
- Advantages: This stand offers much more support and it is easier to load because it holds the bike more upright. As a bonus, the double leg kickstand looks really cool.
- Disadvantages: This product can be expensive and harder to find. It is important to load your bike evenly when using this product because too much weight on one side will tip it over.
Qualities of a Good Bicycle Kickstand
The best bike kickstands have a combination of characteristics that separate them from the rest of the bunch. These crucial factors are what we used to lead our search for the best kickstands around, and were based on feedback from our readers. Let’s take a quick look at what you should be keeping an eye out for.
Lightweight
Many cyclists obsess over any weight they add to their bikes. This is for good reason, because the pounds add up and can slow you down considerably. A lightweight material, such as an aluminum alloy, helps minimize any issues that adding a kickstand can cause.
Sturdy
On the other side of the coin, you do not want a kickstand that is so lightweight it’s flimsy. Finding a good balance between weight and stability is the key to selecting a good kickstand.
Rubber Feet
Granted, these aren’t something that you must have, but they are a nice feature. The rubber helps grip, adding extra stability, and can help you protect any surface you put your kickstand down on. Without the rubber feet, your kickstand could sink down in soft dirt or grass and cause your bike to fall.
Adjustable
With this feature, there are two different ways to go. If you get an adjustable kickstand, you want one that doesn’t require tools to tweak.
That way, if something goes out of whack on a ride you can fix it on the spot.
The alternative is to get a stand that does not adjust at all. Instead, with these kickstands you get them cut to the perfect length to support your particular bike. It is really important to measure twice and cut just once.
Deciding if You Want a Bike Kickstand
One of the most important things to realize is that single leg kickstands can attach in one of two places: the kickstand plate or the chainstay.
Not every bike will actually have a kickstand plate, and there might not be enough room around the chainstay, so be familiar with your particular bicycle when you go shopping.
People Who Should Have a Bicycle Kickstand
- Hybrids or Cruiser Bikes Owners: These bikes are intended for casual riding, and you probably stop quite often when riding. Having a convenient way to prop up your bike can greatly enhance your experience. Often, cruiser bikes will already have a kickstand and hybrids will at least have a kickstand plate.
- Kids: If your child’s bike doesn’t have training wheels, you should make sure it has a kickstand. This helps teach children how to take care of their bikes by putting it away properly. Imagine going to back out of your garage only to find that your child has left his bike on its side in the driveway!
- Touring Bike Riders: A kickstand will be handy for anyone touring, but it may be hard to find due to how heavy the bikes and what they are hauling often are. Building a relationship with a bike mechanic is a good way to learn if your bike is compatible with certain kickstands.
People Who Should Skip the Bike Kickstand
Road bikes are typically not a good fit for an attached kickstand. Putting a kickstand on these types of bikes will eliminate all of your street cred as well as slow you down.
Odds are, you spent a lot of money on having a lightweight bike so you should avoid anything that isn’t entirely necessary. Many of these bikes have hollow frames that cannot handle the pressure a kickstand clamp puts on them.
If you have one of these bikes and only ride it casually, you could see about adding a kickstand, provided your bike has a spot for one.
Removable Bicycle Kickstands
So if you are a road or mountain biker, you may be wondering what you are supposed to do without a kickstand. There are actually a couple of products on the market that act as a kickstand with the added bonus of being completely removable.
Looking a lot like tent poles, these stands work with aluminum tubing in combination with a length of shock cord. The Click-Stand and the Upstand are both very similar and are great options for people who need a mountain or road bike kickstand.
They can be folded up and carried in your backpack or pocket until it is time to park your bike for a while.
Conclusion
High quality bicycle kickstands are a very useful feature for most bike riders. Finding the best bike kickstand for you really depends on the type of bike you ride and how heavy of a load you generally carry.
While not every cyclist considers them “cool,” they do help you keep your bike clean and out of harm’s way. They also make loading groceries, camping gear, or whatever else you are carrying much easier.