Biggziff

I'd like to buy a repair stand for the occasional times I need to clean or work on one of the family's bikes. Are there any inexpensive/great value stands out there that are recommended?

thanks

Mithrandir

I have a Park Tool PCS-9, which is "decent". However I am unhappy with it because it could be better.

https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Mech.../dp/B004HKN498 ~$100

I wish I had gone with the PCS-10:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...TB5B9CN1D1T9GT ~$130

My inner cheapskate said "save the $30", but the PCS10 is more adjustable and isn't a frigging pain in the arse to adjust the vertical height. In the long run, you should ask yourself "how many bike stands will I ever purchase in my life?". I bet the answer is "1". These things last forever, so like I said before, I really wish I had tossed in the extra $30 and gotten a better one. Do yourself a favor and buy a good one, you won't regret it.

paisan

I was just talking about this with another forum member yesterday. Performance sells a house brand one thats a great deal and is currently going for $150. My friend in virginia has one and has broken down and rebuilt at least 3 bikes on that thing with no problems. It has 3 wide legs, is stable and the clamping system is alot easier to use than the one on my Park race stand.

SRR

I have an older generation Minoura (I'm thinking the 'Minoura Tancho Folding Repair Stand' might be the current equivalent?) that I like quite a bit.

I do wish I was using it more for actual bike work rather that just as bike storage - but it is very nice to have it when I need it.

Biggziff

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I don't expect to use this much, but working on my new Fuji and my daughter's bike tonight without a stand was a PITA. I like how some of the stands can rotate the bike 360- degrees.

I'm cheap...so if there is a known "great value" ebay type stand out there I'd love to see it! I did find 2 used Parks near me. A PCS1 and a PCS9, but their both asking nearly new retail for them.

ponzini

Northern Tool bike repair stand is $39.99 right now on sale. I paid ten dollars more, but it works fine for cleaning and lubing our 3 bikes.

sstorkel

I like the repair stands made by Feedback Sports. I think their Sport Mechanic stand is a better value than the similarly-priced stands from Park. I bought mine from REI with one of their 20% off coupons, so it was an even better value.

magohn

I went for one of these on eBay - waste of money. The cup that holds the bike frame is hard plastic so the frame does not sit properly. Then there is a large "clamp" thats supposed to hold the bike in place - it does not. I certainly would not try a BB replace while the bike is in the stand, way too unstable....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Pro-Mech...item3a696209b2

Hill-Pumper

I built my own using the direction from HERE. That said, I will go with one from feedback Sports when funds allow. Biketiresdirect.com has them for less then retail, plus offers 15 percent off codes, along with free shipping.

CliftonGK1

I like my Park PCS-10. Between it being a sale item and having some Performance reward points, I think I paid $100.00 for mine.

pmartin4665

I purchased a Feedback Sports Pro Ultralight Bicycle Repair Stand from Huck N Roll for $179.99 (https://www.hucknroll.com/feedback-sp...repair-stand); I used a coupon and reduced the price by $30. I use this stand on a daily basis - not only to work/clean my bicycle but also as a bicycle stand, to keep it off the floor and away from harm in the garage. The stand is very stable (compared to comparably priced Park stands) since it uses a tripod mount. The quick-release mechanism is fairly easy to use - just turn the knob a 1/2 turn and pull the assembly jaws apart. I'm extremely happy with my purchase and ordered the Feedback Sports truing arm and work tray to complete my stand.

CACycling

Park PCS-10 here as well. $135 with S+H from Bike Island. Being cheap, I looked and read all I could find. Finally decided to buy the Park and be done with it. I'm very glad I did.

Mr. Beanz

Repair stand? Heck, I do all my work while the trainer holds up the bike.

fotoflojoe

That would be the Spin Doctor Pro G3 stand.
I ordered it last month for a SMOKING deal $135 with free shipping. As someone who's had to flip bikes upside down since he was a kid, I've been using it every chance I get. It's an absolute joy, I highly recommend this stand. Even at $150+ it's still a great deal.

Northwestrider

I've the Ultimate Pro Elite which is I believe now marketed by feedback sports, I'm very happy with it.

ed strodtman

It cost about $200 but I have had it for ten years and it is as good as new. Folds up nice and tight, allows you to rotate the bike in any direction, and has a great clamp design. I recommend it highly.

jimnolimit

When I have to work on my bike I put a plastic bag over the seat and flip the bike upside down.

Harbor freight has a bike stand for $50 (https://www.harborfreight.com/bicycle...ray-98579.html)

lewtwo

This is an old thread but the OP had a valid question that warrants revisiting due to changes in the market over the past several years.

In portable stands I note that there are two major groups:
1) BB stands, those where the bike rests on the Bottom bracket and either the down-tube or front/rear dropout is used as a secondary mount point
2) Clamp stands, those where a rotating clamp is used to hold the bike via one of the tubes or the seat post
Group 1 is generally less expensive than the second group (notable exception Feedback Sports Sprint stand)

While adverts for the clamp stands all indicate that the constructions materials used are metal (Aluminum and Steel) nearly all the clamps bodies appear to be made from plastic or resin. One must question the ability of these plastic clamps to provide sufficient clamping force for heavier bicycles. I do note that Park Tools, Feedback Sports and Strada Tools appear to offer products that have metal body clamps.

The range of base configurations boggles the imagination but logic would indicate a design that incorporates "three points of contact" offers significant advantages to those of us that do not reside in a perfect world.

While many of these stands offer a max weight capacity of 50 pounds or greater they are 'demonstrated' with lightweight 15-20 pound bicycles. They might not be so nearly convenient, sturdy or stable when challenged with a 60 pound e-bike.

Questions:
1) I have not found any on-line information about Strada Tools stand other than picture and price at Amazon. Does anyone have any experience with their product ?
https://www.amazon.com/Strada-Tools-A.../dp/B00OI0TAWC

2) Does anyone have any experience using these stands with heavier end bikes (40 pounds or more)?

3) Can anyone offer additional insights on the current market offerings ?


Lastly to offer a bit of perspective, I have included a picture of an older 'sturdy' shop stand.

Jarrett2

I got this one in January and use it almost daily:

Amazon.com : RAD Cycle Products Pro Bicycle Adjustable Repair Stand : Bike Workstands : Sports & Outdoors

Perfect for my needs.

I don't find the need to spread the legs out as far they do in the pics.

Here's a pic of it holding up my steel Nashbar Touring bike:



You can see I've got the legs closer together there and its perfectly stable even with my racked out steel touring bikes on it.

I like the clamp because its easy to lightly tighten it for the frame material. I barely tighten it down for my carbon bike, but can crank it a little tighter on the heavier, loaded steel bikes. Fits both oversized and vintage tubing.

sstorkel

Are you sure about this? Because metal is more likely to scratch parts, it wouldn't surprise me if inexpensive clamps are lined or covered with plastic or rubber to help prevent scratching... I know the metal jaws on my Feedback Sports clamp are lined with rubber to help prevent scratches and Park Tool sells an array of replacement jaw covers for their clamps.

I doubt that most current bike stands would be able to handle a 60-pound eBike easily. My Feedback Sports stand has a rather wide 3-leg base and claims to support 85lbs. but I think you'd have to be somewhat careful about how the bike and stand were positioned in order to avoid a tip-over. If you plan to regularly work on bikes that are this heavy, you might be better off buying a clamp from Park or Feedback and building your own stand. Park sell clamps designed to be bench- or wall-mounted and their shop stands are supplied without a base so you can build your own or bolt them to the floor. They also sell a 23"x35" steel base plate that weighs 115lbs.

lewtwo

The clamps (both Metal and Plastic) tend to have some provision for incorporating a softer material for the actual clamping surface (as in your example for the Feedback Sports Line).


Precisely why I asked the question. Some of the listed maximum capacities seem to be a bit optimistic. I suspect this is even more true if one tries to 'rotate' the clamp body. Park Tools includes a cautionary note for their line: "this assumes the weight is centered over the legs.".

feedbacksports

Wonderful comments on this about all work stands, it seems that everyone agrees that they are an essential tool for work and wash!

I wanted to clarify the comments on clamp jaws and them scratching bikes. We use an extruded aluminum that is over molded with a TPU material. This has been a standard for us for a long time and given the daily use our stands are subjected to they stand up very well. We also recommend that you always clamp your seat post rather than the frame, the seat post typically is more dense material than the top tubes.

Fangowolf

I work on my bike with all my gear and trunk bag attached and it is over 40lbs. I have a PCS10 with the plastic clamps and have not had any problems with the clamp or holding the bike in any position I want.

Drew Eckhardt 

I have a Spin Doctor at home and Park PCS-10 t work.

Get the Park. The Spin Doctor clamp is slower to close when you're holding your bike with one hand, and adjusting it with a bicycle clamped around the pitch axis is saggy and awkward.

oddjob2

I have 4 workstands; a folding Park PCS-10, vintage Park PRS-3 professional stand, a Feedback Sports Sports Mechanic, and an older pre Feedback Sports Ultimate Stand. Don't cheap out on the under $100 stands.

If you can only buy one, I recommend the Feedback Sports Mechanic or the Pro Ultralight over the Park PCS-10. The FSM is aluminum and stows easily, plus if you leave it out, there is nothing to worry about. The tripods are extremely stable. The Park PCS-10 is iron, could rust outdoors, and is very heavy. The legs take up a lot of space when setup. Also it's locking buttons can catch your skin. REI members get 10% back and they carry Feedback and Park stands.

Since @feedbacksports is reading here, can I send my old ultimate head in for repair or replacement?