[funetical]

I've had that happen I heard a hum and felt a drag and sure enough it was the damn kick stand.

[CTD50]

A lot of bikes don't even have a place to mount them, so they're considered optional equipment; there's also the prevalent thinking among 'serious' cyclists that kickstands are a 'dork' feature, fit only for cheap bikes and Freds.

I've tried to envision a kickstand on my Dakar, and the sight on my mind's eye makes me shudder....

[CTD50]

Ohh -- there's also the thought that the more expensive a bike is, the more likely it is to be locked up to something solid, negating the need for a kickstand.

[roy]

But you still might need it to be up right on it's own.

[claytonlevi]

on some models it lowers the ground clearance also.

[BlazingPedals]

You can save weight if something can serve two functions. My helmet doubles as a kickstand for one of my bikes.

Ground clearance is a moot point. There's just enough so that getting a flat in front doesn't make the frame drag.

[Farnsworth]

I love that bike.