I need help choosing a bike stand
 

Like the title says... I just started working on bikes last spring and I know a stand would make it easier. I don't want to buy a cheap tool that will fail and I do not need the very best. I have seen Park and Blackburn. I am not sure where to start so if I could get some recommendations I would really appreciate it.
Thanks
Steve

I got a great deal on Bontrager a few years ag0 and it works OK. most of the mid priced stands $125+ seem OK. if I had to buy another stand I would just do it and buy a park shop stand. if you have a dedicated work area they are the best. if you have to sell it for some reason you wont have to give it away. if you take care of it it will hold its value pretty well.

I got an equally good deal on a "Feedback Sports" Elite repair stand back when they were sold under the Trek's house brand name "Wrench Force". It has been an excellent workstand and has the added attraction that it folds up compactly for storage as I don't have a dedicated bike work area. The current version goes for about $200 and there is a somewhat simpler version for about $150. Either should work well.

Park's work stands have been the industry standard for decades and you really can't go wrong with any of them. I would buy above their entry level as their more expensive stands have more adjustability and are probably a bit more durable. A good stand is a lifetime investment so buy a good one right off the bat.

I use and highly recommend this stand.:)
http://www.feedbacksports.com/produc...air_stand.aspx

+1 on the Feedback repair stands, I have been extremely happy with the quality and stability of them and highly recommend looking in to them. The Pro-Mechanic stand is a great value, its super easy to use, lightweight, and can handle bikes clamped in and out of it on a daily basis. I've pounded out headset cups and worked on a Surly Big Dummy in this stand with no stability problems.

feedback sport mech. can get them online for 130-140. clamp can handle some of the smaller aero seatposts

Northern Tool has a cheap one - not finished as well as Parks.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ool-Bike-Stand

I'd go with the Park PCS-9 for just over $100. I love mine.

The only issue is the need to use an Allen wrench to adjust for height. That Allen bolt can be replaced with a longer one that has a wing on the end for about $1 at a hardware store, and on mine I can manipulate this wing-nutted bolt with only my hand strength and it works fine to tighten/loosen it on the fly without any tools.

Park PCS-10 @ $135 from Bike Island with free shipping. Solid, stable and easy to use.

I have the Feedback Recreational stand, and I'm pleased with it; the ONLY time it's given me ANY issue is when I pull the rear wheel off my bike first, instead of the front first, and it was sitting on uneven ground. The height is right, it's easy to use -- heck, I like it as well as the Park PCS-4 I use at work!

About $100, look around.....

What does the PCS-10 have that the PCS-9 doesn't other than the quick-release fastener at the height-adjuster for telescoping?

$30 is a lot of money, IMHO, for something that can be fabbed up at a hardware store for a buck or two.

QR clamp for bike, QR for telescoping, QR at base, angled upright tube for added stability. For $30, you get a much more user-friendly stand.

What I Use
 

is this:http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=183515http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=183516

which is made up of one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Benc...315125&sr=1-36

bolted to some scrap lumber and
clamped into one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-W...3315171&sr=1-2

I use older Park pros every Saturday
at the coop, and this works as well
or better, takes down and folds for
storage and transport.

When I started doing this stuff, I used
with great success a couple of bike
hooks screwed into the ceiling beams of the
garage at the right distance and orientation
to catch the stem extension and to
hook under the seat front. There are
obviously some things you can't do
with that setup, but quite a few you
can. And you can't kick about the price.

May your mechanical adventures all be,
if not enjoyable (most are), at least
educational.

Respectfully,
Mike Larmer

Afterthought: It also doubles as an excellent wheel building
and truing bench with the addition of a chair and one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Deluxe...=3IGKG90D4ORLJ

which also folds flat for transport and storage.

I like euro-style stands that support the bottom bracket and clamp the fork in a quick release (yes, front wheel removed). This makes it incredibly easy to wash the bike as well.

Plus, I've just never liked the clamping of the main tubes on a bike. It's very disconcerting for me, although it's probably a lame fear.

Ultimate Pro Elite, I think it's called Feedback now, best clamping mechanism going.

I picked up a Velomann stand from MEC. It's inexpensive and works quite well for hobby use.

If your handy with tools build one from internet DIY plans. Wont be as sexy or compact as factory made.

Thanks to all. I greatly appreciate using a tool that won't fall apart on me. Stands do come up on CL but a new parks for $135 will I'm sure last me a life time. Thank you all for your opinions.

Steve

I'm not sure anybody mentioned this yet so I'll throw it out there. Some suggest that discretion is needed in clamping carbon fiber bike frames because the tubing isn't very crush resistant compared to aluminum, steel, or ti. Trek, for example, makes a special work stand adapter clamp for the Madone series of bikes to grab the seat post, which is on the outside of the seat tube on the Madones. Other's make adapters to grab specific aero-seatposts etc... Personally, I don't know how big an issue this is.

About 20 years ago...maybe 30:eek:...I purchased a Park work stand that is very similar to the PRS-3. It wasn't all that less expensive then they are now (I paid around $200 for it with the base). I have never regretted purchasing it. If I had to, I'd by the PRS-3 in a heartbeat...and know that my kids would be using it 50 years in the future:thumb:

If you are too cheap for that one, the PRS-4-1 (with the proper clamp) would be a good alternative.

+1 from me.

I agree with DRietz, with many frames now a days the usual bike repair stand it is useless.