Decent Bike Stand?

[steelynorm]

Looking for a The best bang for the Buck Bicycle stand.

Norm

[Veronica]

Do you want one for repair work or storage?

It's expensive, but I love it.

http://www.rei.com/product/729321

V.

[VeloVT]

*If* Steelynorm is asking about repair stands, I will be VERY interested in the responses. I really need a repair stand. It's getting to the point where I can do a lot of the work on my bike but I end up taking it to the shop anyway because it's just such a hassle to do some things. (Yes, I've been known to hang the bike over my neck by the saddle nose while fiddling with the drivetrain...).

Both BF and I have carbon bikes and the style of stand that supports the bike by the bottom bracket and either forks or dropouts looks appealing to me because it seems like it would be gentler on a carbon frame than putting a clamp around the top tube or seatpost. But BF is skeptical about this style for reasons he hasn't been able to sufficiently defend, in my view :(.

I'd love to hear about what other use/like/don't like.

Just go ahead and ignore this if Steelynorm is asking about the OTHER kind of stand, though :D.

[divingbiker]

I've had my eye on this Minoura stand (http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/tools?page=2#product=19-081), mostly because Rivendell supplies a separate gizmo that allows you to hook the bike on the stand by the seatpost, without using a clamp. I haven't bought it yet, so no first-hand experience.

[maillotpois]

I have the one V has. We love it.

[KnottedYet]

Oooh, and me with a dividend and 20% off coupon burning holes in my pocket!
http://www.rei.com/product/729321

[GLC1968]

We have one very similar to the one V posted (ours is a different brand), and it's wonderful. It really can adjust to work at any angle and to hold a bike by just about any tube diameter. It's very stable in use but folds up small enough for easy storage. We've used it on carbon, steel, aluminum and Ti bike frames with success. :D We've used it on big mountain bike top tubes, flattened cross bike top tubes, multiple types of seat posts, thin old steel frames and even to easily hold a 38 lb commuter without incident. Two thumbs up from us!

[wnyrider]

I am looking to purchase a repair stand now. I registered for one of those Park Tool classes to take place in February. I am going to take my old steel (1010) 10 speed Puch beater bike. Hopefully I'll learn how to swap out the handlebar stem and basically do a complete overhaul. I'd like to be able to make it more comfortable to ride again. But, I also have my newer multi-sport bike that I would like to be able to mount on the same stand. It has a thicker, funky frame design. I see here that the Pro Elite stand is popular. I've been able to find it online-- looks promising. But, GLC1968, you sound really confident and pleased with your stand...what stand do you have ?

[lunacycles]

I have the original version of the Ultimate Repair Stand that Veronica is referring to. I bought it in 1994, I believe, and I have used it TO DEATH. It is still a stand I use to assemble almost all of my bikes on. It is light (probably even lighter now), disassembles to a tiny little thing you can stuff in a bag or stash in a closet, is very stable, and very gentle on seat posts (never ever clamp a bike by one of its tubing, regardless of what it's made out of, btw). It has needed NO maintenance since I bought it, although I tend to be gentle on tools. I use it probably 10 hours every week, and have done so for nearly 15 years.

Anyway, it is a great stand. Expensive, but worth it. I would say still a lot of bang for the buck.

[aicabsolut]

I have my eye on one of the Park Tools stands that has the fork (or rear dropout) mount and cradles the bike at the BB.

I've got expensive carbon frames and seatposts with some weirdly shaped tubes, so I like the idea of having a fork mount instead of a clamp.

Right now, I use my trainer this mini Topeak stand (not a repair stand), or I flip the bike upside down. :p

[wnyrider]

I have my eye on one of the Park Tools stands that has the fork (or rear dropout) mount and cradles the bike at the BB.

I've got expensive carbon frames and seatposts with some weirdly shaped tubes, so I like the idea of having a fork mount instead of a clamp.


Are you referring to this one?:
http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Team-Race-Stand/dp/B000RL52DW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1233622482&sr=8-1

[crazycanuck]

We need one as well & am wondering what the difference btwn the Park Tool & BBB ones are? Ok, other than the $$$..

Fingers crossed I can locate a reasonably priced one here in Aust..:rolleyes:

[Trekhawk]

I have my eye on one of the Park Tools stands that has the fork (or rear dropout) mount and cradles the bike at the BB.



I have one of these and love it. Super easy to use and yep looks after that lovely carbon.:)

[aicabsolut]

Are you referring to this one?:
http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Team-Race-Stand/dp/B000RL52DW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1233622482&sr=8-1

Yes. Thanks for finding that. I was too lazy to look it up. There are 2 versions. One is more lightweight and portable. I'll take the cheaper one, which is the one in the link, I think.

[wnyrider]

Yes. Thanks for finding that. I was too lazy to look it up. There are 2 versions. One is more lightweight and portable. I'll take the cheaper one, which is the one in the link, I think.

I did find the PRS-20 less expensive on other sites. I just want to make sure of the correct model being mentioned. The only negative that would be questionable on this model for me is having to remove a wheel to mount the bike. I have the quick release wheels, so that is easy, but talk about lazy!

[aicabsolut]

So much easier than dealing with a clamp to me, especially removing the front wheel.

I think there's a PRS20 model and a PRS21. The 21 is more expensive (lighter weight, supposedly more portable, but basically the same thing).

[OakLeaf]

The LBS who deals mainly in pretty high-end stuff (Orbea, Cervelo, Felt, Bianchi) uses a stand with a top tube clamp for light work (and their shop area is open to public view). If it's good enough for them... With a top tube clamp, the stresses on the frame are pretty minimal, as long as you're just making cable adjustments etc. and not waling on the bike pulling the cranks or whatever. You only have to tighten the clamp enough to keep it from rocking.

Clamping by the seatpost can be a PITA if you don't ride with enough of your seatpost exposed to accommodate the clamp. My bike fits on my stand the way I ride it - just barely - but to put it in my friends' and some shops' stands, I have to pull the seatpost out, re-tighten it to put it in the stand, then re-set it when the work's done.


And then there's the question of how portable you need the stand to be. Oh, to have enough room in the garage for ALL the toys. :rolleyes:

[TxDoc]

Hi,
I use the Topeak prepstand pro, the one with the digital scale - and I've been pretty happy with it.
http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/product/60/1487/4180?qb=1

[derailed]

If you really want to go inexpensive, I found this the other day:

http://www.instructables.com/id/PVC-Bike-Repair-Stand/

Working with PVC is quite easy, it cuts quickly with almost any fine saw.

[fidlfreek]

Check out march's Bicycling Magazine. Big spread on repair stands

[Miranda]

I know this is lame because I don't really know this much about it:o, but fwiw...

My hitch mount Yakima bike transport rack doubles nicely for a work stand for some things. Haven't wrenched on my bike yet, but thinking I might see if the rack would help.

One of my lbs mechanics gave my bike some work in a parking lot, and guy pal did some pedal switch up in a trail parking lot... both said, "WOW!:eek: This thing makes a great workstand!:cool:".

I have a top tube adptor to get my smaller triangle mtb to fit on it. Plus, I picked up this flop stopper gadget that works beautifully for transport (when not needing the TT adapter-straight on rack arms--road bike fits this way), besides it's other main intended use of the bike not knocking you in the head while wrenching it on the stand.


Travel Rack (mine is actually called the King Pin 2, but it's been d/c, this is close)...
http://www.yakima.com/racks/bike-racks/product/8002404/bighorn-(2-receivers-only).aspx

Top Tube Adpter...
http://www.yakima.com/racks/bike-racks/product/8002531/tubetop.aspx

Flop Stop Gadget...
http://www.rei.com/product/657279

My plan for the wrenching I'm going to try is to turn my suv around and back 'er half way into the garage. Thus I can use the hitch rack as my work stand in the shelter of the garage. Sure this set up doesn't work for all things, but just an idea of something I already own.

[fatbottomedgurl]

What Miranda said. I put my bike on my hitch mount rack and wrench away. I have a Softride rack and the anti-sway brackets keep her nice and steady.

[ridebikeme]

The best stand that I have found is a Pedros stand. It reduces the force while clamping, but also have a different shape head. Most heads are round, but the Pedros seems to fit frames with many types of shapes much better!
(and I've used the other brands for many years!) They offer a consumer stand called the " Rockstand Portable" and the single and double Rockstands for shops.Check out thier website:www.pedros.com

Good luck!