Bicycle Mechanics - Can a wall bike rack be used for maintenance?

Tried to clean my chain today and realized that its practically impossible without some sort of a rack - so did a search and came across some DIY ones.

If I make/buy a wall rack [the cheapo $10 ones] will it be possible to do some basic maintenance on it? If not, why not?

Something like this?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VBFHMY1VL._SL160_AA160_.jpg

Can't really tell much about that rack/holder from the pic. I don't know how you clean your chain either; I just wipe mine down or relube it unless it's been on a muddy ride then I'll rinse it off as well, so even the rack pictured would be good for that. OTOH I can lean mine against a wall for lubing my chain, and often do.

I have a stand up rack that I have used for almost everything. Routine maintenance, new cables and housing, tune ups, repairs, and one somewhat significant upgrade.

The rack is supposed to be a self standing two bike rack. I have attached to a post on my back porch, and my son stores his bike on it most of the time.

Your wall mounted rack probably could be used for light repairs and preventive maintenance, but nothing too heavy of a job.

Just be sure the bike is far enough from the wall to be able to turn the cranks without hitting something.

Bar ends allow you to flip the bike upside down for minor maintenance such as your chain issue.

Thanks guys. Did a LOT of reading here and decided to make my own [I dont have that wall rack but was planning to make it for maintenance only]- something along the lines of this. I currently have a MTB and the clearance I need from the center of the top tube till the vertical bar of the stand is " to allow the pedals to turn comfortably. I am getting a road bike - will the clearance needed be the same? or more?

IOW can I build my stand before my road bike comes in with the clearance that I need for my MTB

Also instead of the clamp I am planing just two hooks maybe 12" apart on which the top tube will sit. Does that sound OK? I need this mainly for cleaning, adjusting derailleurs etc.

http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FRK/6ME3/F6B7Q8VZ/FRK6ME3F6B7Q8VZ.MEDIUM.jpg

Image is from www.instructables.com

It'll work, you'll just have some limitations.

Swinging from side-to-side will be a pain. Your far side pedal will probably scar up the wall too. The rack in your picture doesn't look to me like it's going to be sturdy enough to do stuff like crank and bottom bracket work that takes very much torque.

That said, for years I did virtually everything except headset and front brake adjustments by hanging my bike vertically from the front wheel.

I agree with Retro_g; I have racks similar to yours and they are OK when wiping down the bike, but if you want to work on it, you need some way of stopping it swinging to and fro. I wouldn't think chain cleaning would be easy.