Bicycle Mechanics - Ultimate Elite Repair Stand Sucks

I have owned the Ultimate Elite repair stand now for about 2 months. I am puzzled by the amount of glowing reviews over this product when mine does not reflect the same. Everytime I mount my bike in the clamp it droops downward causing the bike to canter inward to the stand. You can actually see the clamp head sag downward as soon as you clamp in the bike and tighten the head. I have tried everything to keep the bike perpendicular to the ground and nothing helps. Upon further inspection of the design I noticed that the clutch cup (silver trunnion) seats in a nylon assembly but never fully seats. In fact you can canter the head in any direction because of this and no matter how hard you tighten the assembly it will not seat. Due to this design its no wonder that when a bike is clamped in place it will droop. I called Ultimate and they agreed with my finding. It is by design that the head canters because the clutch cap if fully seated during tightening may not loosen when you want to remove the bike. Well I off to find another bike stand and sell this one. I can't fathom spending $200 for a bike stand that will not keep my bike perpendicular to the ground.

I have owned the Ultimate Elite repair stand now for about 2 months. I am puzzled by the amount of glowing reviews over this product when mine does not reflect the same. Everytime I mount my bike in the clamp it droops downward causing the bike to canter inward to the stand. You can actually see the clamp head sag downward as soon as you clamp in the bike and tighten the head. I have tried everything to keep the bike perpendicular to the ground and nothing helps. Upon further inspection of the design I noticed that the clutch cup (silver trunnion) seats in a nylon assembly but never fully seats. In fact you can canter the head in any direction because of this and no matter how hard you tighten the assembly it will not seat. Due to this design its no wonder that when a bike is clamped in place it will droop. I called Ultimate and they agreed with my finding. It is by design that the head canters because the clutch cap if fully seated during tightening may not loosen when you want to remove the bike. Well I off to find another bike stand and sell this one. I can't fathom spending $200 for a bike stand that will not keep my bike perpendicular to the ground.

If you don't mind the weight (all steel), the Wrench Force Classic Repair stand is exceptionally sturdy and allows me to set the bike at any angle, including upside down and it holds its position. I bought mine at a local Trek dealer for $149.

Bob

Keep in mind everyone, I don't think all the Elite Stands suck...just mine. Yours may be better and mine could be defective. Ultimate is working with me right now to rectify the situation. They have great customer support.

I always recommend the Park PCS-4. It's almost as stable as a shop stand, has the good clamp, yet it's easy to move out of the way when my daughter insists on parking her car in the garage. Cheap stands are no bargain.

I've got that same Ultimate stand, and notice the arm does "droop" a bit, but it's because it sits slightly off. It's rock solid, and can't move when tightened normally. IOW, there's no play, it's just a little crooked. A bit annoying, but I don't think it affects how it functions, for me.

What I have noticed is the red clamp release button sticks when closed tight, and takes either a very sharp wack to get it to let go. That, or I have to manually loosen the clamp a bit before it's easy to release.

Does yours let go easily?

Does yours let go easily?

No. Not when its tight. I have to whack too. Looks like they all droop. That sucks. The drooping will have a greater affect on your handlebars swinging into the frame. Thats what I don't like about it. Plus the drooping affect contributes to instability of the stand. This doesn't look good for the Elite stand:(

I fail to see a need for any stand besides a kick stand. I've completely refurbished 2 MTB's and a tandem in the last couple of weeks and never saw a need for one. If I need to work on the bottom for wheels,chains,derailers, BB's etc I simply flip the bike upside down and sit in my comfy lawn chair and go to work. Same with the top side...put it on the kick stand, sit in the same comfy lawn chair and do the maintenance/repair/adjustment. The hand full of tools needed to completely strip a bike to the bare frame fit on a small patio type table which leaves room on the other side of the lawn chair for a ice chest.:beer: Now on the other hand.... I can't figure out why some makers not only don't put a kick stand on a bike but don't even weld a bracket to the frame so you can mount one if you wanted to.:rolleyes: It's a easy fix but would still be nice if they at least welded a bracket on.

I fail to see a need for any stand besides a kick stand. I've completely refurbished 2 MTB's and a tandem in the last couple of weeks and never saw a need for one. If I need to work on the bottom for wheels,chains,derailers, BB's etc I simply flip the bike upside down and sit in my comfy lawn chair and go to work. Same with the top side...put it on the kick stand, sit in the same comfy lawn chair and do the maintenance/repair/adjustment. The hand full of tools needed to completely strip a bike to the bare frame fit on a small patio type table which leaves room on the other side of the lawn chair for a ice chest.:beer: Now on the other hand.... I can't figure out why some makers not only don't put a kick stand on a bike but don't even weld a bracket to the frame so you can mount one if you wanted to.:rolleyes: It's a easy fix but would still be nice if they at least welded a bracket on.

You forgot to preface "You might be a Redneck if..." :D

I fail to see a need for any stand besides a kick stand. If I need to work on the bottom for wheels,chains,derailers, BB's etc I simply flip the bike upside down and sit in my comfy lawn chair and go to work. Same with the top side...put it on the kick stand, sit in the same comfy lawn chair and do the maintenance/repair/adjustment.

I think most of us prefer to work on bikes while standing.

I have had this, for over 2 years now, and not a problem. (I hope I did not jinx myself for saying so.)
http://www.ussbike.com/core/media/media.nl?id=437&c=655356&h=5d851af8b645f2f765c1

Like mine alot. How heavy is your bike?

You forgot to preface "You might be a Redneck if..." :D

:roflmao: until I :cry:

Keep in mind everyone, I don't think all the Elite Stands suck...just mine. Yours may be better and mine could be defective. Ultimate is working with me right now to rectify the situation. They have great customer support.

Perhaps you should have prefixed the thread title with "My".

Something isn't right with your stand. Mine doesn't droop at all, or if it does it's so small an amount that I never notice.

I have owned the Ultimate Elite repair stand now for about 2 months. I am puzzled by the amount of glowing reviews over this product when mine does not reflect the same. Everytime I mount my bike in the clamp it droops downward causing the bike to canter inward to the stand. You can actually see the clamp head sag downward as soon as you clamp in the bike and tighten the head. I have tried everything to keep the bike perpendicular to the ground and nothing helps. Upon further inspection of the design I noticed that the clutch cup (silver trunnion) seats in a nylon assembly but never fully seats. In fact you can canter the head in any direction because of this and no matter how hard you tighten the assembly it will not seat. Due to this design its no wonder that when a bike is clamped in place it will droop. I called Ultimate and they agreed with my finding. It is by design that the head canters because the clutch cap if fully seated during tightening may not loosen when you want to remove the bike. Well I off to find another bike stand and sell this one. I can't fathom spending $200 for a bike stand that will not keep my bike perpendicular to the ground.

Please see my reply to your other post here: :)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=322769

... Brad

I have had this, for over 2 years now, and not a problem. (I hope I did not jinx myself for saying so.)
http://www.ussbike.com/core/media/media.nl?id=437&c=655356&h=5d851af8b645f2f765c1

YUP! You have an Ultimate with a clamp (must be old style) like mine. It never slips.

... Brad

I like the Park PS 9 I got a heck of a deal on it and it sure makes things easy. I like being able to turn the bike any way to get at areas easier.

Do I need two stands to work on a tandem? http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/silly/dopey.gif

Keep in mind everyone, I don't think all the Elite Stands suck...just mine. Yours may be better and mine could be defective. Ultimate is working with me right now to rectify the situation. They have great customer support.

I think it's the design. I don't have the Elite, but I think that just means I have a crummier clamp. The arm holding the clamp droops. I don't see how it can't droop, given the design.

Do I need two stands to work on a tandem? http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/silly/dopey.gif

My Ultimate BR-80T handles my tandem just fine, with no droop I might add.

I've had the USS Sport Mechanic stand (newest model) for about a month now (had to buy it when someone stole my lawn chair!)

I couldn't be happier with it - holds my bike perfectly stable in all positions and is super easy to transport, set-up and use. It has a great clamping mechanism as well.

If you get a handlebar holder like the Flop-Stopper you won't have to worry about the bars swinging around.