Why am I writing about a simple, boring thing like kickstand? Well this isn’t just any kickstand, this is a two-legged Pletscher kickstand! In my option, this is the Rolls-Royce of bicycle parking accessories.
My Father-in-law, Bill, first made me aware of this kickstand. He had recently installed a Pletscher on his Arvon touring bike, and he touted the miracles of the stand’s ability to keep his heavy machine upright. I was sold on the stand but after he told me the price, around $50.00, I thought I would hold off. At over four times the cost of an ordinary kickstand, I was sold on the idea but not on the price.
It took a trip to the bagel shop for me to finally decide to lay down the cash. I was carefully leaning my loaded bike against the wall getting ready to lock it up when the weight of the front bags caused the handlebars to swing around. The bike quickly slammed to the ground while the chainring dug a valley into my shin. I promptly ordered the kickstand the next day.
I always thought that kickstands were kinda dorky. I was a little apprehensive to install one thinking it would dampen my imaginary cool factor, but this kickstand is different; it’s Swiss-made, finely engineered, and looks unlike any kickstand on the market. The neat thing about this stand is when the legs are extended, they flare apart just a little wider than the bottom bracket shell. And when the stand is folded up, both legs go to one side and look like a sweet pair of drag pipes from a Harley. Badass, not dorky!
The kickstand not only keeps your bike upright, but it can be used as a mini built-in workstand. When the kickstand is flipped down, I can work on the front or rear wheel of the bike. I just have to pivot the bike on the stand so one of the wheels is off the ground. I have used this method to change flats, adjust brakes, true wheels, and the list just goes on. If my bike had a longer wheelbase, I could make on-the-road derailleur adjustments, but my crank arms hit the legs.
So for these reasons, I decided to blog about the Pletcher. I don’t see it as just any kickstand; I see it as an essential part of a loaded touring bike.
Comments
Kickstands are essential for anyone who wants to use a bike for real life. And the pathetic little metal sticks that most bike shops sell are not adequate. I don't know how many times I let out a string of profanity because my bike with a loaded basket fell over due to a crappy kickstand. Now I have a heavy duty, serious double kickstand and it has changed my life for the better, no joke. See, I'm very passionate about my kickstands. How else could I manage to load cases of beer on my back rack without my bike falling over? ;)
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I loved my pletscher. I just wish it hadnt snapped two days into my tour.