Minoura Workman Pro
 

Apparently Nashbar used to sell them for $39. They don't have them anymore or out of stock right now. Anyone know where you can find one now that isn't $70 dollars? Spending that amount might as well spend the extra $50 and get the all metal park tool one. $39 was a good price for that.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4221 is that any similar to the workman pro in terms of the good reviews the minnoura got?

one thing about sales is that they always show up again.
I got the (what I figure is a rebranded minoura) spindoctor one from performance for $40. If you're not in too much of a hurry you'll see it again soon.
having said that and back to your original question, sorry I haven't seen that $39 price anywhere else.

The Park stand is a lifetime investment and an heirloom for your children. The Minoura is pretty flimsy and will likely be gracing the bottom of your local landfill before your next high school reunion.

I have a Minoura and I strongly reccomend you spend the extra money and get the Park stand. The Minoura is flimsy and even though it says it is self centering it really isn't. The caliper head can move from side to side slightly on the support arm which throws off the centering. The tool they give you to check the centering doesn't work very well because it doesn't sit well in the grooves for the axle. Save yourself the hassle and get The stand that most LBS's use. Go with the Park.

Some folks say they can get good results, but I tried the Performance Spin Doctor and thought it was, quite literally, a piece of junk. The calipers had so much play in them in several axis, that I could never get consistent results. I think I could do a better job just flipping the bike upside down and using the frame.

I've got a TS2 now and although the self-centering feature doesn't work particularly well, otherwise it is a nice piece, and well worth the extra money.

- Mark

I've been using my $40 Minoura for 16 years. It works wonderfully without fuss.

Yah, I think I'll try the spin doctor one as it looks like a rebadged Minoura. And if it lasts 1/4 as long as yours I'm happy. Just enough to finish college. Because I figure you can turn it into this http://www.chc-3.com/pub/wheel_stand.htm if it doesn't work out well after awhile either?

No mods needed. It just needs to hold wheels and provide a round and true reference :)

The only limitation is that you can't force the rim to one side to detension spokes for tightening. I don't build wheels that require that kind of rough-housing though.

I have the Minoura and have had the same problems with the self-centering not working exactly right. A dish gauge helps, of course, but if I was buying now I'd be giving more expensive products more consideration.

Nothing against expensive truing stands, but before I had a dish tool, I just flipped the wheel in the stand. Also, you can make a dish tool from scrap wood. This one took me 10 minutes to make (plus glue drying time):

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/5108/cimg6331jy3.jpg

+1 on the self-centering issues on my Minoura. It's a b*tch to discover it AFTER you've done your final truing. Spend the extra $$ on a TS2.

I've used a Minoura to build 4 wheels. It works fine for the money, you just need to take your time. "Self centering" is a dumb bit of marketing...you just flip the wheel on the stand.

The problem with the Minoura in this regard is the fact that where it holds the hub is round...not "v" shaped, and plastic. I've found it makes accurate dishing very painstaking and mistake prone work without a dishing tool.

But, overall, I've been happy, and the wheels all came out just fine in the end.

Funny thing about Nashbar...they used to sell all kinds of things for all kinds of great prices. Not as much variety anymore, particularly in items that "mere mortals" like me need on a regular basis. Certainly not the same prices either.

The Park WAG-3 dishing tool is a nice, substantial piece and only costs $25 or so new; I picked one up on Ebay for $17 shipped that I can't tell from new. Well worth it IMHO.

- Mark

I have a Workman Pro that I find very handy for mobile work.

Just goes to show, it's not always the tools, it's how you use them.