What work stands really work without damaging the bike?

I use a Park Tool PCS-10. Clamp it to the seat post - no problems.

This was an easier question before the days of carbon fiber frames and seatposts.

The Park PCS-20, 21 and 23 all fit the no damage bill.

http://www.parktool.com/products/category.asp?cat=23

I have a cheap Park PCS-9, which works well if one uses caution, common sense, and a rag around the clamp site.

I use the Ultimate Pro stand, Works great, not too cheap at $200, looks really nice in hot red anodize Al.

I use the Ultimate Sport Repair Stand. At $159 at REI, it's not all that expensive http://www.rei.com/product/752335. I've learned a few things that make the stand more friendly for carbon bikes. 1. Take off excess items that add weight (water bottles, seat bags, etc.) This way the bike is light enough that you don't have to tighten the clamp to the point where you risk crushing the carbon fiber. 2) clamp onto the seatpost instead of the seat tube.

Am I just lucky. Have used Ultimate, Minoura bench mounted stand, Sette Torx brand on carbon seatposts, frames and never had any damage. You are going to get on a jet airplane made of carbon fiber but it is not strong enough to put in a bike stand?

Am I just lucky. Have used Ultimate, Minoura bench mounted stand, Sette Torx brand on carbon seatposts, frames and never had any damage. You are going to get on a jet airplane made of carbon fiber but it is not strong enough to put in a bike stand?

No- But I will change my £80 C.F. seat post for an old Ally one before I clamp my Work stand to it.

Use the PBK Stand and it works. But not the best around.

Another vote for Ultimate pro. (Got 2 of 'em, one for the garage and one for the basement.....)

No- But I will change my £80 C.F. seat post for an old Ally one before I clamp my Work stand to it.
+1
I keep several old spare aluminum posts around just for that reason. I still use an ancient Park work stand - never worry about clamping it on a steel frame but would not consider it on a carbon bike or post.

According to Specialized, clamping the frame itself using any stand with a conventional clamp can cause damage which may or may not be visible and could lead to injury or death. This may be legal hyperbole to limit warranty and personal injury liability but I have no desire to risk damaging a high dollar frame needlessly. If I were buying another stand now I would look at the style that supports the bottom bracket without a clamp.

I have a bell strap on the trunk car rack that I put in my large vise and then just set the top tube on the bracket like you would normally put it on the rack. My wife bought it at a yard sale for $5.00. Someday I will get a real stand but for everything but removing a crank it works just fine for me.

Ok, thanks for the help. Park and Ultimate are the two to look for.

I also have the PC-9. When doing light work like derailleur adjustments or brake adjustments I will clamp the top tube very lightly with padding. Heavier work requires clamping the seat tube. Bottom brackets and serious torque mean that the bike goes into a floor stand on its tires.

I have an old Park PRS-6 that I use for most steel bikes. Also have a cheap Performance workstand for use with aluminum frames. Carbon fiber frames? Well thats a whole new can of worms, I've never worked on one.:o