3speed

What's the best route for a decent stand for as little money as possible? I've built up a few wheels using the fork of an old MTB, but I'm about to build some nice wheels for my mountain bike that will regularly see "real" mountain bike trails, jumps, and 3-4' drops. I want to make sure these wheels are perfect. I figure that means having a decent stand, but can't afford to spend $$$ on a stand that I'll use for one set of wheels.

jimmuller 

The cheapest truing stand is your own bike. Maybe not as convenient as a real stand, but good enough to build good wheels if you are careful and clever.

calstar 

+1^^ A skilled builder can build a wheelset using only the bike as a build/true stand indistinguishable from one built on a high $ stand. A stand gives the builder more convenience than a bike frame but the end product, all else being equal, is the same.

3speed

I'm thinking of trying building one of the wooden ones I've seen mentioned online. Does anyone have any first hand experience with those?


From everything I've read, it's a lot easier to get a wheel perfectly round and straight on a stand. As I said, I've built a few using the bike. I can get the wheel nice and straight using the bike, but getting it perfectly round is difficult and very time consuming for me. Not to mention the back ache since I can't put the bike on a desk in front of me.

Chombi

I think one of the best value truing/.building stands for the home wheel builder out there is the Spin Doctor truing stand (re-branded Minoura) as sold by PBS.
compact/foldable, not too heavy, cheap (I think I've seen it go for as low as 40 some bucks on sale). Built many wheels on mine already since I bought it over two years ago and it's ready for many more.

Chombi

wrk101

Best value, no doubt, is a USED truing stand. Buy right, you can use it for a while, then resell it. I've resold a couple of stands I have had. I had a Minoura once, came free with a used work stand I picked up. Both moved onto new homes.

3speed

Thanks, Chombi. That does look decent enough and is more within my budget.

Wrk101 - I've been keeping an eye out on my local CL, but unfortunately none seem to ever pop up.

miamijim

Hozan C-330 FTW

Bianchigirll 

I don't have a stand but I wouldn't skimp on one and would just get the Park. I know Nasbar has them on sale every so often. Look for a place that does free shipping with a $100 order.

debit

Having used my fork, a Spin Doctor II and a Park professional, I would say that if you absolutely need a stand, get the Park. I have the Spin Doctor, and it's okay (and better than my fork) but I wish I had just sprung for the Park. It's solid, can be attached to a heavy base or work bench, unlike the Spin Doctor which can be a little wobbly with a heavy wheel or a stubborn nipple.

roccobike

Not too long ago Performance was selling one for $40. I picked one up and it's served me wheel. Actually built a few wheels using it.

jimmuller 

My dear sweetie gave ma a Park stand for Christmas. I've always trued wheels on my bikes, but now I can use the stand. It lets me get them a little truer a little faster, but the wheels I've built without it were pretty good and haven't failed me. If you're going to use a stand, get a good one. But you asked for the cheapest. That's still the bike.

robatsu

I agree with all this. I built my wheels for years w/just a bike frame for truing stand. Then I got the luxo Park. Things go a little quicker, not a lot, but a little noticeable. The stand doesn't make the wheels any better than what you can achieve without one.

I think the experience of building/truing your wheels in the frame is also a confidence builder that you can deal with various problems on the road should they occur.

ColonelJLloyd 

There's doing something and there's doing it right. If you're using your bike frame as a truing stand you're not doing as good a job as you could be. If I'm going to take the time to build a wheel I'm going to use proper tools (stand, gauges, wrenches). A "skilled builder" can build a good wheel with a bike frame as a truing stand sure, but guess how many do so? None.

I started with a Park TS-8 and it's served me well, though I'm building enough wheels that I am ready to move up and I want a TS-2.2 If you're interested in a TS-8 let me know.

I don't depend on my bikes to survive; they're a hobby and source of enjoyment so rarely do I buy the cheapest option of any tool or component. Rather, I try to weigh the costs and benefits and go with something that best suits my criteria.

wrk101

I've picked up two Parks TS2 stands from bike shops closing. So sometimes the ad is not for a truing stand, but rather from a shop closing. I've passed on several more at shops closing. Seems like every 3 to 6 months, another shop closes.

roadrunner2012

I think it's because sooner or later a labor of love loses the love part of the equation. Owning a bike shop is a good way to lose money for most people.

As far as truing stands, an old fork and a zip tie works. A TS-2 works better.

theblackbullet

I use this one and like it! built 7 or 8 wheels on it now. picked it up in store for ~$35 iirc

rootboy 

I like good quality, well made tools. Bought a used TS-2.

Gravity Aided

Big fan of the Minoura , myself . Probably would like the Park as well, if price were no object.

furballi

I use the bike, 6" digital caliper, and 2" dial indicator. With a good rim, I can easily achieve +/-0.001" tolerances axially and radially.

Lenton58 

This really intrigues me. Do you have a pic of the setup? How are you attaching the instruments to the frame? Any hints appreciated.

roadrunner2012

Bull crap.

rhm

My truing stand was pretty cheap...


Of course you will also need a dishing gauge. My dishing gauge was pretty cheap too.

Maybe I'm just cheap?

bobotech

I don't know why people thing you need to spend lots of dollars on a truing stand. I just use a Nishiki rear triangle. It was a bike that was crashed and bent up the front end.

The most important part is to use something decent to clip onto the stays so that you can see how much runout is present. I use clothespins.

All a truing stand does is give you a reference point to compare how much runout the wheel has. My bike frame stand is more solid than the Park stands at the co-op. I can even adjust dish just by flipping the wheel in the stand and not moving the clothespin.

3speed

^ I actually did have a spare frame with a cracked BB area that I used when I built my first couple wheels. It's definitely a perfectly usable option. It was the full frame, though, and my apartment isn't that big, so I let my girlfriend talk me into getting rid of it when I thought I was through building wheels. I do think I'd rather have a truing stand, though. The apartment space thing, along with the easily adjustable - yet not easily bumped out of place guides on the stand make it more appealing to me.