work stand: Park Tool vs Tacx vs Minoura

[lph]

I'm looking for a good-quality repair stand to use at home, i.e. one that's heavy and stable, long-lasting, and has a clamp that opens and closes easily (pref. no twirling of knobs while holding umpteen kgs of bike in the other hand). It doesn't have to be collapsible, but if not it should be up to staying outside all year round. I had been thinking of a wall-mounted one, to get ultimate stability, but free-standing ones are a lot easier to find.

I've noticed several of you recommend the Ultimate Support Pro Elite, which looks mighty nice, but is a bit expensive and tricky to get hold of here. My other options are the Park Tool PCS 9 and PCS 10, the Tacx Cycle Spider Prof. and the Minoura W3000.

Anybody have anything to say about these - either good or bad? Thanks.

[OakLeaf]

I have a PCS-9.

If you're clamping a bike by the seatpost you do have to hold the bike while you tighten the clamp. If you're clamping by the top tube, I think you should be able to set the bike in the clamp and let it support the bike.

To completely collapse it you have to loosen one leg bolt. The other leg swings free, though (it's held in place by a brace while standing), so it's not too hard to move without collapsing the legs, if all you want to do is get it through a door and set it up someplace else.

I haven't used it a whole lot yet, but so far it's sturdy and easy to use.