| When people talk about bikes, they often forget | | | | stands since lifting the weight of the bike on to the |
| about bike stands. You may have heard countless | | | | stand can call for the muscle requirements of a |
| conversations about every aspect of bikes, but you'll | | | | Hercules or an Arnold Schwarzenegger. Side stands |
| have to rack your memory for the last time you | | | | are a lot easier to operate since all you have to do is |
| heard two people discussing bike stands. | | | | pull the stand out from under the bike (this can be |
| And yet, since no bike can do without these stands, | | | | achieved quite easily using your feet) and let the bike |
| they happen to be one of the most critical | | | | lean on it. |
| components. Though ignored by most people except | | | | However, when parking your bike using a side stand, |
| the manufacturers, the bike stand has come a long | | | | make sure the surface is hard enough to support the |
| way. | | | | bike. Park it on slushy mud and you can forget about |
| There is quite a variety of bike stands available. | | | | getting it back upright on your own. |
| Conventional and side stands are the most commonly | | | | Manufacturers these days add a few simple features |
| used. Most on-road conventional and utility bikes, | | | | for extra value. One example is a small indicator on |
| including pedaled bikes, use the conventional stands. | | | | the instrument panel that glows when you have the |
| Side stands are generally used by bikes that are | | | | side stand pulled out from under the bike. |
| heavier than conventional ones. Conventional stands | | | | So the next time your conversation turns to bikes, |
| help the bike stand upright, as opposed to side | | | | talk about bike stands. You'll be sure to impress |
| stands. Side stands allow the bike to lean on them, | | | | everyone around with how much you know about |
| thus supporting the entire weight of the bike. | | | | these humble, yet essential parts of a bike. |
| Heavier bikes normally do not use conventional | | | | |