Kickstands can be such a fuss.
Dirt, rocks, and other debris can get caught in them and even injure you if you crash or fall off your bike. Not to mention, they add extra weight, slowing you down and proving to be a general nuisance.
All they do is stand your bike up, which is simple enough. So, there must be an alternative.
Luckily, there is. In fact, there are eight other ways you can stand your bike up without using a kickstand.
By the end of this article, you’ll be yanking your bike’s kickstand off and embracing the world of kickstand alternatives.
Let’s get started!
Contents
1. Scorpion Stand
- Two-piece collapsible construction for easy transportation
- Practical sleeve lock with push button
- Compatible with hollow cranks from different manufacturers, three different adapters included
Last update on 2023-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Scorpion stands slide into your MTB’s holo crank axle, lifting the back wheel off the ground.
This is a great option if you frequently service your bike and check the condition of its wheels, rotor, brake pads, pedals, etc.
Do you hate when stands block your pedals from making a full rotation? Then you’ll love the scorpion stand, which is wide enough for your pedals to spin!
It also includes various crank sleeves, so you can find one that’s the perfect size for your bike.
Prop your bike up when storing it, servicing it, or taking a quick break from cycling.
While some scorpion stands are one piece, others have detachable pieces so you can take them on the go, like the Feedback Sports Scorpion Bike Stand .
Watch the video below demonstrating how an MTBR scorpion stand works and why it’s a great option for any mountain biker.
2. Wall-Mounted Bike Racks
Bike racks are an obvious solution to bike storage and a great alternative to kickstands, but they take up a lot of space.
If you live in a small apartment or can only store your bike on your meter-wide balcony, you won’t have room to install a full-fledged bike rack in your home.
Have no fear. Wall-mounted bike racks are here to save the day.
This nifty racks drill into the wall, allowing you to hang your bike vertically from its front tire.
The best part is they take up no ground space, and you can keep your mountain bike’s muddy wheels off your floors.
If you have several bikes, this is a great space-efficient way to store them in a garage or bike shop. You can also service your bike when it’s mounted to the rack.
There are many wall-mounted bike racks out there, but we suggest the Steadyrack Wall-Mounted Bike Rack. They’re easy to mount and use, and have racks specifically crafted to support MTBs’ thick wheels and heavy frames.
- BUILT TO LAST – Made from steel and UV treated plastic, our racks are strong and built to last, holding up to 35kg.
- NO LIFT – Simply balance the bike on its rear wheel and push it into the rack – there’s no heavy lifting required.
- SAVES SPACE – Unlike bike stands, hooks or pulley systems, our racks have a unique 160-degree pivot feature.
Last update on 2023-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
They also swivel 180 degrees, allowing you to position your bike flush against the wall if desired.
To see how Steadyrack bike racks work and how to use them, watch the video below.
3. Upstands
So, you like the look and feel of traditional kickstands but don’t want one permanently attached to your bike?
Upstands are a great kickstand alternative because they’re light and portable.
To install it, attach the Q mount to your bike’s rear wheel. Don’t worry. It’s small enough to not get in the way when cycling but sturdy enough to support the upstand.
Now you can slide the upstand onto the Q mount whenever you want to prop your bike up. The upstand and Q mount’s strong magnets ensure they will stay firmly in place.
When you’re ready to get back on the road, remove the upstand, fold it, and put it in your bag or attach it to your bike frame using the provided frame mount.
At 100 grams, it’s ultra-light, and you won’t even notice the Q mount when you’re not using it.
We especially love the Corki Cycles Foldable Stainless Steel Bike Kickstand, which also comes in a fiber carbon option. You can adjust its length, and the stand’s rubber foot ensures the weight of your bike won’t make the kickstand give way and tip over.
Last update on 2023-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Watch the video below demonstrating how to use an upstand.
4. Click-Stand
If you haven’t heard of the Click-stand before, you’re in for a treat!
This kickstand alternative is a long pole with a small rubber U-shaped piece attached at the end. Your bike’s frame sits comfortably in the U-shaped piece, allowing your bike to stand using the pole’s support.
The design is deceptively simple, but it works like a charm and has taken the biking world by storm.
It’s foldable, so you can carry it with you everywhere. It’s also compatible with various bike models, so you can use it on different types of bikes or lend it to a fellow biker.
Click-Stand also has several different models, depending on your preferences, the type of bike you have, and its size.
The pole isn’t adjustable, but you can adjust the angle to fit your bike’s height.
You can browse and buy your very own Click-Stand on the official Click-Stand website.
To hear more overwhelmingly positive reviews about Click-Stand and see how they look up close, watch the video below.
5. Topeak Flashstand
The flashstand is the only kickstand alternative on this list that stands your bike up by its pedal.
Its two feet fold up to make this the perfect portable stand. You can also adjust the height depending on your bike’s anatomy and whether or not you want to service the wheels.
Just fold down the feet and position them so they’re facing outwards for extra balance. Then, slide your pedal into the stand, so it’s secure. You may need to re-adjust the feet to keep your bike balanced.
It’s only 300 grams and seven inches long, so it’s the perfect size to store in your backpack.
There are several different Topeak flashstand models, but our favorites are the Topeak Bike Repair Stand FlashStand Fat and Topeak FlashStand Slim X .
Watch the video below to see the Topeak flashstand Slim X in action.
6. LineUp Stand
This one-pound wonder offers the stability of immobile bike racks and the convenience of portable kickstands.
All you need to do is prop up the stand and slide your rear wheel into it.
It’s made of aluminum and plastic, making it as lightweight as possible.
This is also perfect for displaying your bike, so you can have a mini-photoshoot once you ride to the top of the mountain.
It’s also great for storing your bike in your garage since the stands don’t take up much space and are compatible with most bikes, including mountain bikes.
It comes in black and silver, so you can make sure it matches your aesthetic.
Check out the Topeak LineUp Stand , available on Amazon.
Watch the video below for a detailed review of the Topeak LineUp stand and how it works with mountain and road bikes.
7. Bike Hub Mount
The bike hub mount cradles your bike’s rear wheel’s hub, lifting it slightly from the ground and preventing it from tipping over.
However, it does not work for bikes with disc brakes, so only consider this option if your bike has rim brakes.
This option is light enough to be portable, but you must ensure you have enough space in your bag to accommodate its size and shape since it is not foldable.
This is also a great kickstand alternative to keep around your home or garage since it won’t get in the way when not in use.
There are a couple of similar bike hub mounts out there, but our favorite is the Bikehand Bicycle Floor Type Hub Mount since it’s rubber-coated and has a sleek design that will complement your garage perfectly.
- SOLID & STABLE: Solid one piece steel construction bike hub mount type. With its 5 lbs weight and the 11 inch wide base, this solid stand can hold the bike at ease.
- EASY TO USE:Just place the rear hub axle into the holder. Fast and simple bike parking solution.
- COMPATIBILITY: FIT 26”, 27.5” and 700c bikes: It is best to be used with non-disc brake bikes as long as there is a gap between hub and frame. For 29" bikes, please look at the other model with...
Last update on 2023-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
See the video below for a brief but thorough review of the Bikehand bike hub mount.
8. Improvise
At the end of the day, propping your bike up isn’t rocket science. So, if you can’t access any of the kickstand alternatives in this list, you’ll have to improvise.
The best thing about improvising is that it’s free and fun, and you won’t have to carry a portable stand around with you in your knapsack.
Let’s learn a couple of fun ways that you can prop up your bike without a kickstand.
Find a Reliable Vertical Surface
Are you biking alongside a mountain? It has withstood millions of years of chaos and can surely support your bike for a few minutes. So, try leaning your bike against the mountainside side.
Other great places to lean your bike against are fences, walls, your tall friend’s backside, and a tree’s sturdy stump.
Just place your bike’s wheels next to a reliable vertical surface and gently lay the handles against it.
We promise you won’t be disappointed with the outcome.
Ask a Friend
Your friend Carla is nice enough, so why not ask her to look after your MTB while you go for a wee?
Instruct her to hold the handlebars to keep the bike standing upright, and make sure to mention that you’re trusting her with your most prized possession.
This delicate task may take some practice, so give your friend some slack if they don’t master this technique on the first go.
So, what will it be? Let us know in the comments below!