Arsbars.comThe Real Arleigh Jenkins

Recently, I joined a Surly Long Haul Trucker and Cross Check owners group.  Jumping with both feet in, I clicked the individual email subscription that each and every time someone post a comment or thought, it emails me.  Now the smart person would of simply clicked “Daily Digest” but I wanted to be caught up with everything that had been talked about over at the group before a daily digest might pop up in my email box at 9pm when I’m going to bed.  This would mean I wouldn’t read it until the next morning and be a day behind the news!

Now that I gave you a background on all of this.. the latest thing that is blowing up my Blackberry with emails and comments is the latest Spew from Surly.  That Long Haul Truckers are not designed for kickstands.  How in your right mind do you think touring folk, with 200 lbs of gear are going to keep their bike from falling over or rolling away?

There is a lot of spew coming back at Surly for this.  Granted, in Surly’s Official Spew, they did say you are more than welcome to put a kickstand on but to take care not to crush the frame.  Maybe they have had a lot of “warranty” claims with people going all Hulk-Hogan on the 14mm wrench tightening the kickstand?

Either way, I have gotten spoiled by the Civia Loring and the double kickstand that picks up the rear end of the bike.  If I can find a way to put one of those on most of my bikes.. I will be.