Work stands anyone???
 

I'm considering the purchase of a bike work stand. I'd appreciate any insight on which brand/model to buy and the pros and cons on different types/brands/models.

ThanX!!!

Buy a Park - I've had mine 7 years, and it works the same as the day I bought it. Solid, strong, bullit proof.

I use a Park PCS-1. It's a good, reliable, relatively inexpensive product that suits my needs. The only feature I wish it had was adjustable height, but it's not that big a deal.

Do you need portability? If so, there are the popular Park Tool folding models... I haven't worked with one myself, so I can't comment beyond the portability aspect and the nice spring-loaded clamps. Full list of Park Tool repair stands


If stationary would suit your needs, check out the wall-mount and bench-mount models. If you like deluxe tools and don't need portability, consider their PRS-3OS.

I have an older PRS-2 with a custom-made 100-8C clamp, myself. Definitely not portable! ;)

My sister just bought her boyfriend a work stand from bikenashbar. I think it was around $70 with shipping and it includes a tool stand. It also folds flat for travel. So far he's been very impressed with it.

also check eBay once you've done your research. There are several sellers selling the PCS-1 and PRS-5 well below retail.

And for a grand total of $5.00, you can get a rather neat fold-down bike rack (in the garage storage section at Home Depot) that works for those of us who have pretty simple needs. I have two, and they are great for tire and chain maintenance, adjustments, etc.

BUT, definitely NOT a Park!!

I have a Blackburn Workstand. The only drawback is that it´s not height adjustable.

Anders K

My hub got me a Spin Doctor from Performance about 5 years ago...I love it . The clamps are supposed to be non-marring, but I take no chances and use an additional layer of shop towel between the jaws and my powdercoat.

All of the brands mentioned are better than
trying to work on your bike while it is perched
on its saddle and handlebars. . .
the one thing I would look at is the type of
clamp. I have a Minoura with the screw down
clamp and its a pain in the butt. If I ever buy another
it will have the quick release type of clamp like the
Park stands. On second thought when I buy a
new one (hey, I'm addicted, ok?) I'll be sure
to buy a PARK stand.

Marty

Have to go with the people reccomending the Park tool stands. I have a Park PCS-1. I've had it for more than a year and it has proven very useful and has held up well. The only thing that would be nice would be some height adjustability. You can the adjustable height Park stands for not a whole lot more.

-Moab

Mmmm...didn't know Park made stands. Anyway, last week I bought a Minoura stand (W-300 model in the UK - maybe named something else in the US). It has an adjustable quick-release clamp, two height settings and the clamp can be rotated 360 degrees. You can clamp the frame or seat post to hold the bike at a variety of angles. Great. I also use it to hang my shirt on when I'm working out in the garage. I guess I could clamp my shirt up if I was going to go completely apesh*t with the dumbells. Oh yes, and it comes with a small spring and plastic knob. When I've figured out what you do with them I'll let you know...

Sorry for dragging up an old thread but I'm thinking about buying the Minoura W-300. I have however heard that the clamp can't deal with frames that have narrow tubing ( I have a Cromoly Frame).

Anyone got any info?

I share a Park model PRS-6 (Predecessor to the PRS-3) that a friend and I went halves on about 10 years ago. Darn near bullet proof! ;)

For the home, if cost is no object and you want an heirloom quality stand
I'd strongly recommend a Park Model PRS 302 (shop quality & $$$).
http://www.parktool.com/tools/PRS_3OS.shtml

Next best and perhaps more reasonable model is the one I've been using for about 13 years, the PRS-6: http://www.parktool.com/tools/PRS_6.shtml

The other Park Consumer Workstands are also nice (PCS-1 OR PCS-4), but not nearly as "robust". IMHO, there's nothing quite like having a strong workstand with a heavy base to hold your bike steady as you wrench on it.

If you want one for the home AND road trips, consider the Ultimate Pro Repair Stand - Model BRS-80R (http://www.lickbike.com/i2637700.htm) or the Park PRS-5. I have the
Ultimate Pro primarily for road trips but it's really a great stand even for
the home. The Ultimate Pro is very stable, portable, adjustable, durable and has one of the best clamps in the biz.

I use a cymbol stand with a towel to cushion the bike. Works well for me.

My wifegave me one for Christmas called the Ultimate Bicycle Support. Says she got it at my LBS for less than $200. Easy to use, sturdy, folds up nicely and stand in a corner. Has height adjustment and hold bike at virtually any angle.

May not be the cheapest solution around but it sure satisfies me. It is wonderful to work on a bike at eye level.

Be creful about buyinng a Blackburn. The locking bolt on the swivel will strip out because of not being a high enough grade of metal.
I have had to rework mine twice in the last year.

Rick

gee fellas, I just have an old tubular hanging from a beam under the house

I would love to have a heavy duty shop stand like the Park 302, but I don't have a spot I can dedicate to a more or less stationary stand. Plus, most of the time I prefer to work on my bike outside. I have a Park PCS-1 to which I have added the recently available adjustable extension. I have found it more than adequate for my needs. The $20 wheel truing add on does a great job for me as well.

I am surprised at the comment about the Minoura W-300 and narrow tubes. When I was looking for a stand I had the opposite problem, finding a stand that would handle oversized tubes. The PCS-1 clamp will handle about anything.

FWIW, it is recommended that you clamp by the seatpost which is more robust than the bike tubing and less likely to be damaged. I don't always fool with extending my seatpost enough to get the clamp on, but then most of my bikes are old steel frames.

I have the Park PRS-5 it has been a great stand. It folds compactly for storage or to easily take on a trip. The clamp works great. Park added a quick release and easier sliding tube for the height adjustment.

I bought the Park wall-mount clamp. Then I had a local welding shop attach a piece of box tubing to a piece of 1/4" plate (about 16" x 16"). Finally, I bolted the plate to the concrete floor in front of my workbench and the wall-mount clamp to the tubing. Its not portable, but it works for me.

I would like a Park Stand but I fear they may be out of my budget (The W-300 is about £80 or $120) I also haven't seen many Park stands advertised in the UK.

Anyone know where to get one in the UK?

Hey guys, Pedro's also makes a great portable stand for about the same price as a Park. The clamp is a cool idea that'll work on any diameter tubing!

L8R

I also was going to mention Pedro's work stand. Although when I tried to find a price it was selling for almost $300. It is also a pain to find them.