The Ultimate stands are all aluminum, and they all collapse down to a small size.

Besides being lighter than steel, aluminum doesn't rust. Making it a better choice for using in the driveway when washing bikes (which is actually what I use my stand most for).

FWIW, bike shop mechanics typically use very heavy steel stands (often with steel base plates). They typically don't need to move them around or transport them, or use them for washing bikes.

+1 for MUST have

I don't know about you, but I hate bending over too much. The more I can work upright, the better. I like to be able to access areas at or around eye level (of course if I remember to pull out a stool or chair, I can lower the bike.)
It just makes working on the bike easier... and hey, I notice that all the pro mechanics use them in the shop (har har).
At first I thought it was a frivolous purchase, but I've had hundreds of bikes up on it and it's paid dividends. The Ultimate stand is good (tripod is best)

Be sure the one you get works with your frame. I have one I got from Performance that is probably perfectly fine, but it doesn't work very well with my Trek Madone 5.5, which has a humongous bottom bracket area. It's wobbly no matter what I do and I have to work around the cable guides.

[QUOTE=HIPCHIP;8933957]Just wondering if it's one of those tools that are a "Gotta Have", Nice'ta Have", or waste of money unless you're a mechanic and working on bikes all the time? I mean do you recommend getting one more than not?

I might have a different answer to this question for 50+ than for the mechanics forum.

When I was a younger man I did a lot of bike tuneing and maintenance with the bike hanging vertically from it's front wheel. I also worked with bikes upended on the floor and on bikes clamped into a resistance trainer. Those methods all work pretty well.

Since I've gotten older I avoid tasks that require me to bend or stoop. As I've progressed farther past 50 my bike work stand has become increasingly more desirable.

Thanks for all the info. It's amazing all the new stuff I'm learning about. At least I won't get a hernia hoisting it up on a stand like I would with my old motorcycles!!! :}

Think I'd put a bike stand in a "nice to have" category. You can improvise for things like derailleur adjustments, and other repairs where you need the wheel lifted, but a bike stand makes it a lot easier. And when not in use, you can lower the clamp, and use it to park the bike!