Spent some time working on the bike today – and came to the conclusion that more money must be spent. How can I maintain the bike without a workstand? (As said to my wife !)
So, started looking around. A Trek concept store had a Trek brand for $169.00 Looked solid to me, and the storeowner said they use one for all their portable work. Can also get the Park Tool consumer model for around the same price. Any recommendations in the under $200 department? AND, is there really any good alternative to a workstand? (Other than a few extra sets of hands)

I use my bike rack that fits into the hitch on my truck. I just back into the garage and -viola- instant work stand. I wanted a work stand, too, but figured I could use the money for other bike-related purchases...

Shop around, you can get the Park Consumer Workstand for around $125 if you find it on sale (be really surprised if you find it anywhere for less than this - if you do, throw your body on it while reaching for your wallet...). imho, this is the best stand you can get for the money. Clamp is great, will hold your ride vertical and won't mar your frame - others tend to be much flimsier, less stable at this price range and this model year it is height adjustable (last model wasn't, so pay attention to which one you're buying, especially over Internet).

Good luck!

I use my trainer.

I'm sure there are other ways to "suspend" a bike to work on it. However, when it comes to flipping the thing upside down to wipe down the bottom bracket area, chainstays, etc., nothing beats a stand. I got the Park PRS-5 stand. Normally, I think it is 250. Found it on sale for < 210. Performance price-matched that and then I used a 20% coupon which brought somewhere < 170. Am very very happy with it. At my age, I can't be bending over any more to clean the bike ... I want it up at eye level.

Best.

One alternative is a set of ropes and pulleys w/hooks attached to the garage ceiling. Never tried it, read about it somewhere. Performance has a decent workstand that folds up for storage, although since getting it, I mostly leave mine out and use it to store my bike. I got it on sale for about $120 if memory serves.

I've read that the models with tri-pod leg set-ups are more stable than those with legs that are flat on the floor.

Get a stand, its worth it. Anybody that tells you a trainer or hooks hanging from the ceiling work just as well never used a stand.

I have now learned that the Trek brand I referred to is a WrenchForce; formerly Ultimate, and a division of Snap-On Tools. Trek is just the distributor. Anyway, I’m on my way to pick it up.

By the way: I gave up golf for cycling – obviously for the far better fitness of the activity – but also because I thought cycling would be less expensive. WRONG.

First the bike cost around $800.00 Added a computer, bar-end grips, etc. Had to have a saddle storage bag, spare tubes, tools, cleaning supplies, helmet, shorts, jerseys. Now a workstand. I will soon be adding clipless pedals (which calls for shoes) – and I’m already thinking of a couple of component upgrades.

Ummmm……….maybe that $400 Callaway driver wasn’t so bad?

I have the Park PCS-1. So far I have only used it for general cleaning and lubing the chain as well as using it to store my bike when I'm not using it. When I'm doing maintenance, I clamp the bike to the seat post. When I store the bike I cradle the top tube in the clamp but don't clamp it down. One of the reasons I got this stand is that you can get a wheel truing attachment for around $30.

I am still not convinced that a workstand is really necessary- all you need is a saddle tube bolted upside down to something. You can then put the bike upside down and slide the saddle tube into the bike frame (with the saddle and tube removed) to work on it. Apart from being really cheap the seat tube is designed to withstand some stress and their is less chance of damaging the bike than if you for example use a Park PCS-1 to clamp on the top tube.

I couldn't agree more. I use the PCS-9 from Park that can be found at less than $100 and is foldable (somewhat..) and is great. But I must say, I use it for extensive maintenance such as BB, gears, it's ubsolutely indispensable for doing a good gear adjustment. For lighter maintenance, I use one of those:
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1) You can't work on a bike when it is upside down.

2) You never clamp a bike at the top tube. You clamp the seat post or seat tube.

[QUOTE=Feltup]1) You can't work on a bike when it is upside down.
QUOTE]

why not? some things you can do better admittedly with the bike the right way up but some things are better with the bike upside down- so it balances out

You can not get proper derailler adjustment with the bike upside down. When I say you can't work on a bike I mean it isn't the right way. The only time is on the trail or side of the road. All things are better with the bike right side up.

Hi Bboseley,

First, separate all the stuff you want from all the stuff you actually need. Figure that even if you bought higher end Sidi shoes (Genius4) for $140-200, this is a one-time cost you can amortize over many years (5-10+) if you take care of 'em and don't walk all over the place in them. Green fees? Balls? All the time you could have spent doing something else? (Riding?) Let's not even go there...

The fitness/good feeling aspect is enough to counterbalance all else - have a great time!

Buy one nice workstand and, like any other nice tool, you'll have it for years, it'll work every time and it'll make life much easier.

My dream shop has a higher end Park stand and a nice vent fan to keep the lube from making me see double. Some pegboard, a professional truing stand, a nice stool and apron and I'm gonna be ready. (Again, dream shop. I got nothin' as of now.)

Don't forget the swimsuit model to hand you tools and cold beer

Here is an interesting home built workstand that one could cobble together for little money. This guy is selling these on e-Bay.

Doc

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

Oh yeah. Let me tell you something buddy........................your right.

I didn't say a trainer worked as well. It's just that I use mine that way.

I know. I used my trainer for a while too. It works great, just sucks having to get down that low. A trainer is a lot better than turning it upside down.

Now we're talkin'. Looks to me like a pipe clamp with wood blocks is the key piece. Anyone built anything like this?

Did the same, but doesn't cost me $50 - $70 everytime I go for a ride like it does to play a round of golf.

Actually, golf cost me a lot of $$$, 'cuz I was making my own clubs so I had to buy all the crap that you need to put the clubs together.

I got a park tool stand for $70 off of www.universalcycles.com i had to pay shipping so it was like $90 in all. seems to work well.

I've got the Ultimate Pro. Great stand. It's sturdy, easy to use, and folds up small into it's own case.

Dr. Slick 50.00 fold up stand from performance bike is not a bad stand. Been using mine for about a year......befoer that the Trainer was generally employed.