I have recently purchased a Burley Canto recumbent. It is a convertible from short wheel base to long wheel base. I would like to convert it to LWB and have the hardware to do so, but not so sure I should attempt this on my own. I'm not opposed to taking it to a bike shop, I would just like to be able to convert it on my own. I realize that SWB is better for commuting or urban riding but I would like to try the long wheel base for the better suspension.

For those that do work on there own recumbents, what do they use for a bike stand? If it is not obvious already I am new to the biking world. I did not ride uprights or diamond frame bikes regularly prior to this jump into the recumbent world. I am thoroughly enjoying bike commuting and look forward to longer rides. Also looking forward to any comments from other bent riders.

Thanks.

This probably isn't going to work for what you want to do but when i want to work on the gears of my bent i get a u lock or belt tie/lock it on the frame under the seat and to one of the sheffield stand in the basement of my building. This has the effect of lifting the back wheel off the ground.

Like i say, bit of a cheapo solution that probably wont work for you but i cant afford a work stand that's sturdy enough to hold my bent

For what it may be worth, I think you have made good choices both in a first bent and in thinking about working on your own bikes.

For bent and DF two-wheelers in the fleet, I use the study, heavy, flexible and slightly pricey Ultimate Pro stand. It works well though learning to capture the RANS Rocket in it took a minute or two.

For the trikes I use an old Workmate with a homemade PCV rack that looks a lot like the bottom left image here (http://bp2.blogger.com/_UOeKvogYcBY/R3G1b1tsysI/AAAAAAAAAl8/D0i7sRZNw3w/s1600-h/workstands.jpg) except for having a little keel on the bottom.

Thanks for the great info. I am very familiar with the world of PVC. Landscape irrigation brings in the dough to keep me on the road. I am a big step further to working on my own bike.

happy trails

I think Actionbent sells a stand that works well.

http://www.actionbent.com/servicestand.html