morgothaod

Thinking about buying a bike stand to make it easier for me to clean and lube my bike chain. I tried balancing my bike against the wall and turning the pedals but that caused my chain to come off. Are there any good cheap options?

jefnvk

I've got one of these I picked up for about $100 with a coupon and sale about a year ago. It works OK, fairly sturdy for anything but the most stubborn bolt, but the base takes up a lot of room: Spin Doctor Pro G3 Work Stand

PepeM

The one I got from Aldi is pretty darn good for $30.

ShadowGray

Product: Nashbar Stand By Me

Less than $15 when they have their sales. Good enough for drivetrain work.

Kedosto

Tha Spin Doctor Pro G3 from Performance is an incredible value. I've had mine for years and it's in perfect shape. It's collapsable, so when it's not in use it stands out of the way in the corner. It's easy to adjust and offers a lot of flexibility. jefnvk is only partly correct about the base; you can extend the legs out as far as you need so they don't have to take up too much space in your work area. On the occasions where I do extend the legs all the way out, I position them so they're not in my way.

I hate cheap tools with a passion. This isn't one of them. Check it out and pick one up on sale.


-Kedosto

jefnvk

Fair point, I have done that (especially when using it as a painting rack and walking it in and out of my apartment). That said I have never really felt it to be that stable unless the legs were at least mostly extended, especially with some of my heavier bikes, and if using it in a confined space, it can take up quite a bit of room. Does fold up nice, though!

It is quality, I don't regret the purchase or wish I had gone with a Park Tools at all. Held a 40+ pound Schwinn cruiser for a month with ease. Lot of articulation to move the bike around while working. Only real complaint is I like to clamp my bikes on the seatpost, not the top tube, making the little parts holder rather useless.

flan48

I've had this for 3 or 4 years now and it is perfect for my needs and yours, as you describe them:
https://www.rei.com/product/809718/f...-storage-stand

Best regards

SkyDog75

I'm perfectly happy with my Park Tool PCS-9. Better than a lot of cheaper stands, but nice enough that I've never wished I spent more.

Hokiedad4

I use my bike rack as a stand.

Hermes1

Feedback Sports Elite Stand is what I have and works well for me.

Altair 4

I have had a Park PCS-10 for several years now. Love it! Legs fold up when not in use for easier storage.

WinNT

I used just a kickstand like this.

cyccommute 

There are good options and there are cheap options. They are usually mutually exclusive. The biggest problem with the cheap options is that they don't have the best clamping mechanism. Most of them have some kind of screw mechanism as part of the clamp and they require you to hold the bike with one hand and screw in until you can clamp the bike. This can be difficult depending on the bike and the weight.

The better stands have a one handed clamping mechanism that you just throw the lever to clamp the frame. The Park PSC-4-1 has this kind of clamp and is one of the best "less expensive" stand around. Yes, it's about $250 but it is an heirloom tool. You'll hand it off to your children. I bought something similar 25 years ago and use it nearly every day.

Remember only a wealthy man can afford cheap tools.

sdmc530

I have this, paid $129 for it though last year. Really like this style of stand. I am pleased with this stand and would buy it again!

Elite Race Work Stand

Defyme

No need for a bike stand. Just lean the back tire against an object (car tire, pole, street sign, wall etc.) on the non drive side and your good to go.

fietsbob

2 ropes tied to bike storage hooks that are screwed into the ceiling joists.. that you can also use to hang your bike from when you are not riding It.

John_V 

It was a toss up between the Park PCS-10 and the Spin Doctor Pro G3. While they were both on sale, the Park was a little more expensive and won out over the G3 because of the clamping mechanism and, as mentioned, the parts box on the G3 is useless if you prefer clamping the seat post over the top tube. When the legs are fully extended, the Park has a smaller footprint than the G3.

Hermes1

Been there, done that. Only a good idea if you wrench and wash your bike infrequently or you are a glutton of punishment.

no motor?

I've got a more basic version of this and it works great, highly recommended.

canklecat

A tree with a gently curving main trunk in my apartment complex' back yard has a stub from a low hanging branch. I hang my saddle across that, bungee the frame to the tree, and use it for cleaning, chain lube and other basic adjustments. Only time that isn't practical is when the yard is soaked from heavy rains. Which has been pretty much all spring here.

Next best thing, which I'm using now because the grass outside is saturated and muddy, are closet clothes rod support brackets. These fit the top tubes almost perfectly. Pad 'em, if metal, or try the plastic brackets -- but I use two or three of 'em to be sure they don't break. Hook the brackets over the back of a chair, a handy door, or screw 'em into the garage wall.

The latter trick -- the closet clothes rod brackets -- offer limited accessibility, but it's good enough to get the rear wheel off the floor to clean the chain, adjust the derailers, etc. And it's cheap -- I already had the brackets.

SouthFLpix

For about six months I unsuccessfully waited for the Park PCS-10 to go on sale. Since it never went on sale, I picked up the Spin Doctor Pro G3 from Performance Bike. I've been happy with it.

cookingjnj

Spin Doctor Pro G3. Works great, never have had an issue.

travbikeman

I too have the Spin Doctor Pro G3, Got a great deal on it for $119 at a fall sale at Performance Bikes. The only thing I really can't seem to do with it when a bike is on it, is to work on bottom brackets. The stand just wasn't strong enough or stable enough for me to really attempt on breaking loose my square taper BB. Other than that it is a great rack, but do agree, the little screw or tool box is useless. A tray of some sorts would have been better.

Quite honestly though, had the Park Tool been on a similar sale when I was looking and not on back order everywhere I looked at the time, I might have gotten it.

HauntedMyst

I've had this one for about 5 years now and it works well

Topeak Prepstand Elite Repair Stand

drlogik 

I bought a Park PCS-10 about 5 years ago. I love it! I mounted a home made tool rack to the top of it. It's a bamboo silverware tray I got at Bed, Bath and Beyond and customized it with towel rack, parts bins, screwdriver rack, strong tool magnets on the sides and stickers. It was cheaper to make than buying a crummy plastic Park tool rack. That silver tray under it is an aluminum oil catcher pan I got at the auto parts store. Works great when cleaning and lubing the bike. Also, if I drop a small part, it doesn't bounce off into a corner never-to-be-found.