Slipstream Kick Stand Update
The Longbikes Slipstream is a solid touring machine. My one disappointment has been the kick stand.
When I first got the bike I loved the Kick Stand, the two footed kick stand is like having a built in work stand. The bike sits securely on the stand.
Once I started loaded touring, my opinion quickly changed. To put the bike on the stand you have to lift the rear and flip the stand down. No problem normally but when the bike is loaded for self contained touring this gets to be heavy but manageable. However, after a day or so of touring the stand loosened and would not stay in place, often coming over and rubbing the wheel.
I tried to fix it on the road by adding a rubber gasket hoping that the gasket would keep the lower part of the stand from rotating. This seemed to work but after another day the bottom part of the stand started moving around again.
So far I haven’t come up with a fix. I have asked the folks at Longbikes about this several times but have never gotten a response. It has been two years now so I have contacted them again today to see if they have made any progress on this problem.
If anyone know of a fix please share it with me and other Slipstream riders here.
eBent Recumbent Cycling 
Turn the kickstand around so it doesn’t fold back towards the tire?
Clark
May 31, 2007 at 12:10 am
How does that help?
Roland
May 31, 2007 at 7:57 am
In truth, I’m not sure. I don’t own a Slipstream yet (in a couple of weeks, if Greg hurrys), but from looking at the picture if it was turned around it wouldn’t hit the rear tire, but I don’t know if it would interfere with anything else. Just a thought.
If I find a solution after I receive mine I’ll let you know.
Clark
May 31, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I assembled my Slipstream this evening. My kickstand has a a bit of a lip on it that keeps it from rotating when the center bolt is tight. I assume your kickstand doesn’t have this? Maybe Greg would let you trade up?
Clark
June 15, 2007 at 12:56 am
My kickstand has a lip but the stay it mounts against is quite smooth and the lip does not hold it in place.
The lip works fine until the bike is loaded for self contained touring. Then it can no longer hold the stand and the stand loosens.
Roland
June 15, 2007 at 3:56 am
Yep, I have the same problem. That hollow cross tube and the bushing are just not strong enough to hold up the bike. I fabricated a reinforcement bar for the top, but it wasn’t enough. Plus the bolt isn’t long enough to fully engage the threads with the bar in place so the kickstand fell off when I pushed it up with my foot. At that point I gave up on the kickstand. I sent Greg some suggestions for a better design; I’ll have to see what comes of it.
Clark
June 18, 2007 at 12:31 am
Greg said he wanted to design his own kickstand and not use the Swiss OEM stand. He didn’t say when the new design might be available.
I have an idea that I think will work, but it will take a little effort. Basically, get 2 pieces of 1/4″ aluminum about 4-5 inches square. One plate goes on top of the 2 parallel tubes, one below. Mill 2 grooves in each plate to match the tubes. Drill 4 holes through both plates just inside the tubes. Mill the top of the kickstand flat and weld it to the bottom plate. Sandwich the 2 tubes between the plates, add 4 bolts and she won’t go nowhere. The 4 bolts are almost touching the tubes so it can’t turn.
This sounds more complicated than it is. I have friends in the metal working and welding business and it should be fairly straightforward to make. I just have to find the time…
Clark
June 18, 2007 at 10:32 pm
It doesn’t have to be too complicated. If the top and bottom clamps were a U shape instead of flat it would work just fine.
Roland
June 21, 2007 at 1:47 pm
or just a u shape on bottom with a pin thru the stand and the clamp.
Roland
June 21, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I have a 2004 Slipstream with 7600+ miles on it. My kickstand came loose once after about a month…Red Locktite and snug the bolt down…did the trick…I have put the stand up and down many times…even loaded with 45+ lbs of stuff…has not loosened again…
David Boyd
July 6, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Thanks David, I’ll give it a try Loctite can’t hurt.
Roland
July 7, 2007 at 6:01 pm
At Longbikes, I have been a bit unhappy with the Esge kickstands for a while. We have tried a variety of things to keep them from turning and not been completely satisfied. Later today I will have some parts machined which will reinforce the kickstand bridge/mounting bolt and address the rotation. Check the Longbikes.com website later this week and I will have pictures. The long term fix is that I anticipate building our own kickstand, a true motorcycle two leg style which will lift teh bike and support the weight of a loaded touring bike.
gregpeek
July 16, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Thanks Greg
Roland
July 16, 2007 at 1:14 pm
I received my kickstand bracket from Greg and it seems quite solid. The kickstand can’t rotate and it adds a lot of strength to the mount. Plus he machined some clearances for the fender mound bolt on the back of the frame cross-piece. I’m pretty happy with it.
Clark
August 8, 2007 at 12:10 am
[…] Greg Peek has a fix for the Longbikes Slipstream Kick Stand problem discussed in Slipstream Kick Stand Update. […]
Slipstream Kick Stand Fix « eBent Recumbent Cycling
March 11, 2008 at 12:21 pm