Back in the day (not that long ago!), you didn't need to think about whether or not you needed a kickstand, your bike came with one.
These days? Rarely. So if you want a kickstand, you might want to know about the best bike kickstands out there?
In this guide, we'll be looking at what you should look for when buying a kickstand and an overview of some of the best bike kickstands available today.
Are you ready?
What Are Bike Kickstands & How Do They Work?
A bike kickstand is like having someone to hold your bike for you. They save you from having to lean your bike on a wall or any object you can find.
Typically they are made from metal and will spring out when required and your bike with lean on it. A bike kickstand is a delightfully simple concept.
Different Types Of Kickstands
The kickstands you'll find readily available are single leg or double leg. You can usually tell them apart by how they position on the bike and also how many legs they have.
Side Stand/ Single Leg
The name pretty much tells you all you need to know about this one!
This bike kickstand sits on the side of your bike and has a single leg.
Commonly the side stand will be installed onto the leg side of a bike but that is up to you. Want it on the right? Go for it.
When you're using this bicycle kickstand, the weight of your bike will rest on it in an aligned position so the bike will be stable while standing.
Center Mount/ Double Leg
A double-leg kickstand has two legs - surprised?
This type of bike kickstand works by bringing the back wheel off the ground and this keeps the bicycle upright.
As a double leg kickstand is of a center mount style, they are capable of holding more weight than a single leg.
The result?
A sturdier kickstand and are less likely to break.
Portable
Portable is another type but isn't used as much, though they do have a lot to offer!
This type of kickstand isn't attached to the frame permanently, when not in use, you can store it away. They're usually small enough (or foldable) that you can store them in your backpack or jersey pocket.
They offer a different type of solution to other kickstands. They're lightweight and flexible.
Do You Need A Bike Kickstand?
Alright, so you don't absolutely need a kickstand but it's pretty annoying when you can't find a place to stand your bike and there are certain bikes and cyclists where adding a kickstand to a bike makes sense.
If you're riding a cargo bike, a bike with panniers, a child seat or an e-bike then investing in a bike kickstand is worthwhile.
Let's face it, you're unlikely to be able to always find somewhere to park your bike (other than the ground) and that's not ideal when you want to stop - this is where bike kickstands have their uses and become really helpful.
So do every cyclist need a kickstand? No, but for a lot of riders, kickstands can be a useful addition to their bike.
What To Consider When Buying A Bike Kickstand?
Adjustability/Length
Even the best bicycle kickstand won't work with your bike if the length is wrong.
The ideal length of the bike kickstand will depend on your bike's frame. Though you do also have to consider the distance between the ground and the bottom bracket.
You won't want the size to be more than 15mm longer than what is the lowest acceptable length.
One way to get around the problem of length is to have an adjustable bicycle kickstand, this will mean that you can adjust the height based on the surface of where you want to put your bike.
Feet
All kickstands will have feet, they are essential in preventing the bike from slipping.
What you will find is that the majority of kickstands will have either rubber or plastic feet.
The benefit of using these is that they are more able to grip different surfaces than metal. It also prevents any damage to surfaces such as your kitchen floor!
Weight
Before leaping in and buy a bike kickstand, you will need to check it can hold the weight capacity of your bike. Each bicycle kickstand is designed to hold a set amount of weight.
Ensure that the kickstand you choose has the capacity to hold your bike well.
Material & Sturdiness
As we now know, we want to ensure that the bike kickstand can hold the weight of the bike. Some of this will come down to what material the bike kickstand is made from. You also have to balance sturdiness with weight.
Aluminum alloy is a popular choice for the best bike kickstand and is what you should be aiming to buy. Although some road bike kickstands (and the occasional MTB kickstand) will be made from carbon fiber, making them incredibly lightweight.
On the other scale, you can pick up a bike kickstand made from steel. This will usually give you an overall bike weight capacity as steel is incredibly durable but it will be quite heavy.
Removable
All kickstands can be removed but there are some out there that are easily removable. Pop them in your jersey pocket/backpack when you're not using them.
These types of kickstands have a sort of tent-pole-like appearance and can be folded up when you're not in use.
Stopping for a break? Take it out of your bag, unfold and stand your bike up. Genius!
Easy of Installation
Installing a kickstand can be straightforward and you shouldn't need to take your bike into the bike shop to do it. Providing you have a wrench and know how to use it, you're all good!
It's important to choose the best kickstand for your riding style and your bicycle. Some people prefer a rear mount kickstand, others want a center mount. With a portable kickstand, you won't need to do any installation.
If you've opted to go for a rear-mounted kickstand, you should ensure that the bike kickstand doesn't affect the pedaling and that you have sufficient clearance.
When you are satisfied, you can connect the kickstand bracket. When you've tightened it, you should check the positioning when in use.
Aim to have the bike resting at an angle of around 15-degrees.
Our 6 Best Bike Kickstands
1. Greenfield Kickstand
Let's start things off with this fixed height kickstand from Greenfield.
It works well with the majority of mountain, city, and cruiser bikes.
This bicycle kickstand is constructed from an aluminum alloy so you don't have to worry about it adding much weight to your bike as it only weighs 9.8 ounces.
The accessory features a black finish and looks great on any bike.
You do get a choice of color with these bike kickstands so you'll be able to ensure that it matches (or contrasts!) with your bike.
Included in the kit with the bicycle kickstand, you get everything you need so you don't need to worry about not having all the tools to do the job!
It's a small thing but there's something nice about having a product that is made in the US, like this one. As for how it all works, well it's a center-mount design so you'll fix it into the middle of the bottom frame.
The good thing about this style of center mount is that it gives durability and allows it to support even the heaviest steel bikes out there.
In terms of height, this bicycle kickstand stands at 285mm so it's very much in line with what you'd expect.
Overall, it's a simple-looking bike kickstand that won't win any awards for its appearance but nor will it attract attention. It has a job to do and it does it well.
Pros
Cons
Moving onto the BV adjustable kickstand, which is designed for bikes between 24" and 29".
The great thing about having an adjustable bicycle kickstand is that you never need any tools to adjust the height of it - to make the adjustment all you have to do is use the slider at the bottom.
This is another example of a center mount bike kickstand types and the installation is again, simple and shouldn't be time-consuming.
The BV adjustable kickstands for bikes do come in two different colors, either a black or steel finish so you can match it to whatever works for you best.
What makes this one of the best bike kickstands is its shape. It works well when on asphalt but will keep your bike upright on uneven terrain.
One thing that can be annoying about kickstands is that when you try and kick them out, your foot slips. Frustrating, right?
That isn't going to happen with this bike kickstand as the manufacturer has added parts to ensure that your shoe has something to grip - ingenious!
If you're looking for an adjustable kickstand for your lightweight/middleweight mountain bike or cruiser bike then the BV adjustable one could be ideal for you.
For a very reasonable price, you get an adjustable height, non-slip plastic foot. What's not to like!?
Pros
Cons
If you're looking for a double kickstand for heavy bikes, here you go!
This jumbo bike kickstand is capable of holding up to 80kgs in weight. It is also compatible with wheelbases of 24 - 28 inches. However, this kickstand isn't suitable for 20-inch wheelbases.
Due to the heavy-duty nature of this double bike kickstand, it's pretty perfect for use with e-bikes, bicycles with child seats and it makes for an ideal full-suspension mountain bike kickstand.
This Jumbo double leg kick by Ursus is constructed using aluminum alloy. With the legs folded the total width is 7 inches, when you expand it fully, it's around 18 inches.
This is possibly looking like the best mountain bike kickstand right now, yes? We're minded to agree.
The thing is, heavy-duty usually means heavyweight, and it kind of is. It comes in at a weight of 1.29kg. So it is heavier than other kickstands we've looked at and it's not suitable for lighter weight bikes for this reason alone.
Having said that, there is a market out there where this bike kickstand shines, and shine it does. It's sturdy, made from durable materials, and possibly the best kickstand when you need something heavy-weight.
Pros
Cons
This Lumintrail center mount is a double-leg kickstand and is made using aluminum alloy.
It's another adjustable bicycle stand and it's suitable for most bike tires between 24 and 28 inches. Making the adjustments are easy as it uses a push-button design.
When this kickstand isn't extended, the height is 7.5inches. When it's fully extended, you're looking at a length of 10 inches.
Weight-wise, this adjustable aluminum kickstand is a respectable 527.30 grams so they could make good kickstands for kids' bikes.
This Lumintrail center mount is spring-loaded and easy to install. Due to the fact it's center-mounted, it adds a good degree of stability and included a plastic plated foot to ensure that your bike doesn't sink down in wet terrain - if that's ever happened to you, you'll know how frustrating that is and how welcomed that small addition is!
Whether your bike has a mounting plate or not shouldn't hinder your ability to install this kickstand as it does come with an adapter for those bicycles without a mounting plate - it's like they've thought of everything!
Pros
Cons
This review is largely made up of kickstands that are made using aluminum but the Bell Sports Bracer 100 is made from high-quality steel.
Why is this good?
Well, it means it's incredibly durable and built to last.
This bike kickstand is adjustable and has a really good range (something we particularly like). It can be adjusted from 12 inches to 26 inches.
Kickstands don't have a good rep, do they? They aren't considered to be 'cool' but the Bell Sports Bracer works hard to defy that, it has a stylish appearance and overall, looks rather sharp.
As this is a spring-loaded steel bike kickstand, it is quite heavy but nevertheless, this does add to the strength of it and it does have a premium feel to it and premium is always nice to have.
The spring-loaded aspect is very responsive and quite satisfying. It's also rust-resistant so certain to be with you long-term!
To install this bike kickstand, you can use the clamps and if you need to adjust the height, there are pre-drilled holes - that's what we like to hear, simple installation.
Pros
Cons
Pletscher is a brand that is well known for putting their customers first and giving them plenty of options so it's not a surprise that they made this list with their double-leg kickstand.
This double-leg stand is designed to work by folding both legs up at one side so as to avoid catching the chain. Folding it back is straightforward too.
With this double-leg kickstand, you are able to customize it on the aluminum legs to make it work perfectly for your bike. It's an additional feature that you don't really see on others and it makes it appeal to cyclists, particularly touring riders who need a kickstand to keep their bike upright, even with panniers on.
As it's constructed from aluminum, it is sturdy without being heavyweight so it's not going to add too much extra weight to your bicycle, which can be a turn-off for some riders.
Overall, this double-leg kickstand has lots to like, it's a premium product that has the best benefits of a side stand whilst giving you the stability of a double-leg, making it ideal for those who carry a heavy load or want certain stability.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict
For us, the Greenfield Kickstand is the favorite out of all the best bike kickstands we've reviewed. It's lightweight, comes with a choice of colors and it's constructed from aluminum. It ticks every box for so many riders.