Do you recommend using a bike stand?
 

Been reading up on all the stuff you need to do to your bike to keep it running well. A lot of what I've read seems to recommend having a bike stand to mount the bike to make it easier to work on.

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 found one on Amazon.com for $116, so not too bad a price and it had nice reviews, but if I don't have to spend $116 on that I can spend it on other bike stuff.

Thanks for the advice.

Dan'o :} The semi FNG

PS: I have read about hanging something from the rafters and using that, which I have set up, but the bike swings and it's a pain to use it because of things hanging while trying to hook up, so just wondering what the thought it between a real bike stand and something makeshift? I don't have an open stud on the wall so I can't just put in a 2X4 to hang the bike off of either.

Initially- a "Workstand" is not a necessity. You won't be working much on the bike for a while- unless you keep fiddling with it- and you could spend your money on far more important things to start off with.

I do have a workstand and it comes out of the shed very rarely. It is almost one of the last things I would recommend as a necessity.

Well I'm building my third bike from parts, without a stand. If you can work with items upside down, have no idea what's wrong with placing bike upside down resting on seat and handle bars. I also have a little stand to keep bike upright for parking or simple maintenance. Link:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...00_10000_19003

See it's on sale. I may need another.

I have found mine to be usefull for cleaning my bike. I don't do much actual "work" on my bike, but getting up high enough to carefully clean the chain and running gear is helpful. Mine collapses easily and is not hard to pull out, put on the driveway then put away when done.

I think I would put it in the "nice to have" category.

If you do most or all of your own work, a stand makes a lot of things much easier. I used the upside-down-on-the-saddle-and-bars method for a couple or three decades, but now that I've got a stand I'd never go back, if for no other reason than the bike never falls over when I'm working on it. (Mine, BTW, is an older Park that I got used from Craigslist for $40.)

That's kind of what I was thinking. And since you're close.......:lol:
Dan'o :}

Stands are nice, but not necessary. When I build a bike, most of the work is done with it setting on its wheels on the floor. The first part of a bike that goes on is the headset. Once that's done, the fork can be mounted, then wheels and tires and the bike goes on the floor. The bike will not go back on the stand usually untill it's tune up time.

Look forward to a stand in the future, build a great tool collection first.

I sure like my Ultimate Pro Elite repair stand. It just makes some jobs easier and I am also finding that I am fully capable of doing some bike repair on my own. Upgraded my brakes. Changed cassettes. Changing my own chains, etc.

I did a rebuild on my Simoncini last summer so I bought a stand (and some bike specific tools). I worked on my bike upside down for years. Now that I have the stand I find I pull it out quite a bit to do little things to the bikes. Yesterday I bought new brakes & pedals for he Puch - the stand came out, unfolded and in a minute the Puch was mounted up. I could have done this on the floor but getting things a little higher saves the back.
If I kept my stand in the basement I probably would not have used it but I keep in in the garage next to the shelf with my bike tool box, pump, shoes, helmets and assorted other bike swag.

Come on up. Just call before you get here. I'll probably be out on a ride! :lol:

I like having a stand, a lot. I find it makes most maintenance tasks easier. I also find that it really helps in cleaning the bike. I keep mine right inside the garage door....I open the garage, throw the stand on the driveway, pop my bike on the stand, remove the wheels, and clean it with a bucket of water and car wash soap and brush. While it's up for cleaning, it's a simple matter to run through brakes, cable adjustments, etc. Everything is easier w/a bike stand.

My wife gave me a stand for Christmas a few years back. It is nice to have...not a necessity, but I use it a lot now that I have it.

I have had mine for 25 years or so. I really love having a stand to work with. For me, I do maintainance more often because I have it. Some people would rather have a third or fourth bike and work on the floor, me, I would rather have one bike and a decent place to work on it.

I also actually leave mine in the stand everynight. I would not really reccomend that, as some are a bit hard on the paint if used over and over like that. For me, it lets me tinker around the bike anytime I want.

+1 Get a good stand if you plan to do much maintenance on your bike. +1 Get one off of Craigs List, you should be able to find a really good one for around $50 if you are patient.

I was washing my bikes in the driveway today and I was thinking a stand would be usefor for that. I have a nice bike rack that I made that fits in a 2" receiver tube. Sometimes I back my truck up to the garage and put the rack in and use it for a stand. The bike hangs by the top tube so you can turn the crank if you need to. I like to wash my bike in it too, as I can take the wheels off. If I found a good deal on a used stand I would buy one, but I would never pay $100 for one. As others have said above you really won't need to spend a lot of time working on your bike.

http://images.lowes.com/product/079325/079325777867.jpg

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...0-079325777867

$5.48

Real Organized
Flip-Up Tool Holder

Item #: 267938 Model: 079325777867
$5.48

Supports up to 50 lbs
Flips up flat against the wall when not in use
No-mar vinyl coated
Designed to mount to a single wall stud
Height (Inches): 4.4
Width (Inches): 3.6
Depth (Inches): 13.0
Finish: Vinyl
Material: Metal
Color / Finish: Black/gray
Garage Accessory Type: Other

Great for minor bicycle maintenance.

I wouldn't want to do without my bike stand. It not only makes it easier and more convenient to do proper maintenance on my bikes, it encourages me to check out the bikes so I find potential problems before they break me down on the road or trail. And I don't even want to think about trying to build up a new bike without the stand.

Bike stands aren't an absolute necessity, but I would rank them higher than a nice to have.

Another option would be to find someone with nothing better to do, and let him hold it up for you, like this:

http://i44.tinypic.com/28me0z4.jpg

Check this Persons Display Stand out. I've used these for doing a lot of minor repairs over the years.

http://www.permaco.com/en-us/dept_17.html

I think it is something that is in the "nice to have" catagory, but I'm glad I have one. There is a bike on it most of the time. I do a lot of work on our bikes as well as friends' bikes. Between road bikes, touring bikes and commuter bikes something always needs tinkering. I even work on my wife's mountain bike when I have to. My 1972 Peugeot PX10 is currently monopolizing it while being restored. It is somthing to consider if the kids are looking for ideas for Father's Day, Christmas, birthday etc.

Well, let me know when you have the liquid carbo and grain replenisher cooled up (AKA Beer) and I'll be right up :thumb::roflmao2::lol::innocent:

What you've said is similar to what others have said. I did hang my bike up today from the rafters using my old MC tie-downs as the hooks and some bungee cords to actually hold it. It works OK, but can't put it in the driveway. I think I would do more work on the bike if it was in a stand and not moving around.

I think I know what to ask for as a Christmas present! Unless I get kookie and decide I can't live without one. Sounds like once I get it I would appreciate it a bunch, but it's something I can live without for a bit as I do have a hanging system set up.

Thanks all for the great advice,
Dan'o :}

I used to change the oil in my car by crawling underneath and pulling the drain plug and doing all the other stuff involved in very tight quarters. Then I bought a set of ramps that allow me to do the same task with a great deal of simplicity. At first I thought the ramps were a luxury, but now I can't imagine why I waited so long to get them. I feel the same way about my Ultimate Pro bike repair stand.

I have built up an entire bike using only this for a stand: http://www.bicyclebuys.com/imageview...pg&h=350&w=241 You need something to get the rear wheel off the ground to do drivetrain adjustments. However a true work stand is really nice to have, even for just cleaning the bike.

A trunk rack will also do but if you are doing something like putting in a bottom bracket where some force is required, be careful with carbon tubes lying in a car rack.

I did a lot of wrenching for years without one. One year my parents asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I didn't have anything else on the tip of my tongue so I said "a bike workstand". They bought me an old Blackburn. It has become a must-have, in my opinion. I use it all the time. I have 4 bikes I ride regularly, and the rest of my family has 4 more. I also have project bikes going at all times. If you like to work on bikes, get a workstand.

The old Blackburn is an antique now, but still works like brand new. That thing will never wear out!