As per thread title - I now spend sufficient time faffing with my bikes that I'm considering a proper repair stand rather than just turning the thing upside down.
Any recommendations (or just tell me it's not worth it and just keep on turning it upside down)?
They are absolutely brilliant!
They make maintenance (and washing!) So much simpler.
My brother purchased me the Planet X Jobsworth one for an unexpected gift and it is used atleast once a week now.
For the cost, I think you'll struggle to beat it. Packs down nice and small too!
BB
They don't seem to be on offer right now but a Planet X discount or deal is never far away....
Turning your bike upside down is sacrilege. https://www.velominati.com/ see rule# 49
Is your bike Carbon? if so remember not to clamp the frame... clamp the seatpost (get a spare alu one if yours is carbon) or get a non clamping stand.
I use one like this (and clamp the seatpost or just hang it on open jaws depending on what I'm doing) - not this brand I got mine maybe 10 years ago. It makes everything easier.
https://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-tools-and-maintenance-nc/park-tool-pcs...
Lidl have one sometimes too, presumably the same and more than good enough.
Same with aldi. Although at my local store you had to join the queue early to stand a chance of getting one.
I have an Aldi one. It’s brilliant and for the price ridiculous value for money 👍🏻
Another thumbs up for the Aldi stand 👍
> Turning your bike upside down is sacrilege. https://www.velominati.com/ see rule# 49
> Is your bike Carbon? if so remember not to clamp the frame... clamp the seatpost (get a spare alu one if yours is carbon) or get a non clamping stand.
I've got a Topeak Prepstand Race for exactly that reason. Unfortunately, my best bike has an aero seatpost, so can't replace it with an alu one. Acquired from eBay for a song, virtually unused
Didn't stop the mechanic in a bike shop that will remain nameless from clamping the top tube of my carbon CX bike, but he knows what he's doing.
The Prepstand Max actually looks quite nice, as you don't have to take the front wheel out.
Loop of rope attached to a roof beam in the garage, hang the bike by the seat. 😏
I've had the Park Tools PCS-9 for years - very good. Probably superseded by now, and I've just looked at the prices for current Park Tools workstands... my, they have got more expensive!
Whatever stand you get, you'll not regret it!
Well that's unanimous! Thanks for the tips.
Bike 1 is an Easton Frames c. 1990 something old mountain bike, I'm pretty sure it's not carbon.
Bike 2 is a Specialised Allez. I don't think it's carbon as it only cost me a couple of hundred quid second hand. But frankly who knows? Opinions welcome!
Basic Park Tools PCS9 for me. It's massively heavy, but I suppose that leads to stability. I clamp the top tube at the balance point - no need to graunch the thing up tight - just hold it. The carbon bike has got an aero seat post anyway - hardly an ideal shape for clamping
A take-away tray held on with a strong magnet is useful for putting screws etc in. A few other magnets for holding allen keys are also handy
I clamp mine on the carbon seat posts, just wrap some cardboard round the post before clamping.
> As per thread title - I now spend sufficient time faffing with my bikes that I'm considering a proper repair stand rather than just turning the thing upside down.
> Any recommendations (or just tell me it's not worth it and just keep on turning it upside down)?
I just have a Lidl thing. Strapped with a padlock to the outside metal drainpipe. Nice and stable. More than capable.
> just turning the thing upside down.
> (or just tell me it's not worth it and just keep on turning it upside down)?
I don't understand? Why would anyone turn their bike upside down?
E
On a more serious note I have one of these. Packs up really small and you can take it in the car to races / mtb parks / events etc and you'll look dead pro tinkering with your bike in the car park.
https://images.internetstores.de/products//1299685/02/7c3263/Elite_Team_20_...
E
Easton frame from 1990 would have have probably have to come through a worm hole to be carbon. I suspect it is a steel frame. Flick it with your fingernail it should make a ting sound if it is steel. Magnets will also be attracted to it
Early pre 2003? Allez could be steel before the switch to alloy. AFAIK Specialized never made the Allez in carbon therefore alloy. Flicking alloy makes a noise but without the resonance of steel. Generally bicycle frame aluminiumn ally bike frames don't have enough iron to attract magnets.
Flicking carbon produces a much deader, dampened sound.
Does not sound particularly scientific but it can be a guide.
I have a Park pcs10. Am really pleased with it. Makes work much easier. No real esperience of other models, but you want something stable & not too light.
I recently got one of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B087PDJL5W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o...
Rock solid, very quick and easy to use and seems a reasonable price. I use it every time I ride both for oiling chain and cleaning after. I clamp onto my carbon seat post rather than the frame.
I can clamp the top piece of my Aldi stand on the back door of the van. I might look as if I know what I'm doing, on arrival, but that stops as soon as I start riding.
yep, me too, I just use an old tea towel doubled around the post.
The where to clamp carbon frames argument rages on bike forums from time to time, most go with the thought that if a seat post can cope with 80KG sat on it then it can cope with being clamped lightly, although i will add that the front wheel out stands that most tour de france mechanics use seem quite good
I’m sure I have read somewhere it’s virtually impossible to crush a carbon seat post.
Hey Enty, not seen you for ages!
OK, OK I get it. Forgive me Sir Hoy for I have sinned. : )
> Easton frame from 1990 would have have probably have to come through a worm hole to be carbon. I suspect it is a steel frame. Flick it with your fingernail it should make a ting sound if it is steel. Magnets will also be attracted to it
Ah, it's aluminium, it has a sticker on it to say "Aluminium" this was a bit of a clue in retrospect!
> Early pre 2003? Allez could be steel before the switch to alloy. AFAIK Specialized never made the Allez in carbon therefore alloy. Flicking alloy makes a noise but without the resonance of steel. Generally bicycle frame aluminiumn ally bike frames don't have enough iron to attract magnets.
I'm pretty sure it's not pre-2003 so must alloy, thanks for the help!
Snap. I have the same and it's been really decent.
I can't even remember if mine was Aldi or Lidl, but one of them. A bit under 20 quid I think. It's pretty good - definitely good enough from the price. My bottom bracket disintegrated whilst out on a ride yesterday, so the stand is in use holding the bike while my order of a new BB (and a shiny new chainset) wings it's way to me! Giving the frame a chance to dry out inside too while we wait.
You won't regret getting a stand (- your back will thank you too as you can stand up to do most things).
Re clamping; make sure you don't trap cables in the clamp and then try and adjust rear brakes or gears! Obvious when you've done it without realising - and clamping to seat post avoids the issue (but can put bike slightly lower down)
Another thumbs up for the Lidl-di-aldi stand from me.
Meanwhile, have a google at some of the simple DIY options, especially if you have a shed/garage. Even the right size of shelf on the wall can hold a top tube.
Park PCS-10 are bomber.
I agree, Park are great, I was gifted and old PCS-9 from a friend, it had various bits missing and broken, SJS Cycles stock pretty much any Park spare you could want so for £30 i had a pretty much brand new stand, which is another reason to go Park, try getting spares for an Aldi one in 5 years...
I've got a Park stand, it's lovely, but for what the OP was looking for probably a bit over the top.
On clamping, I wouldn't clamp any part of the frame on a decent bike. Steel, alloy or carbon the walls are thin and not designed to withstand crushing and when it does break, replacement is expensive. If you've got a super bling seatpost then it might be worth buying a cheap spare to use in the stand, but on any normal bike I wouldn't bother.
I've got one of these from Edinburgh Bike Co-op: https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/lifeline-home-mechanic-workstand (they used to sell them under their own brand). Similar in principle at least to the Park Tool PCS9.2 with its splay-leg base but significantly cheaper. Takes everything from my gravel bike to my much heavier full-suss eMTB with nary a whimper.
Getting a work stand was a complete revelation for me: bike maintenance suddenly became almost a pleasure rather than a chore! I think you can get much more "up close and personal" with your bike when it's at a sensible height to work on.
> I agree, Park are great, I was gifted and old PCS-9 from a friend, it had various bits missing and broken, SJS Cycles stock pretty much any Park spare you could want so for £30 i had a pretty much brand new stand, which is another reason to go Park, try getting spares for an Aldi one in 5 years...
You won’t need spares for an Aldi stand, they’re made from scaffold poles. And if, by some mischance, you do you can buy a whole new stand for £30😀
Another vote for the Park PCS-10.2. I had an Aldi one but because my heaviest bike is an e-bike (23kg), due to my age, I was starting to struggle to hold it in place to tighten the clamp screws. The Park one has a cammed easy turn clamp that makes this very easy. Mind you the Park stand is about x5 the price of the Aldi one!
I bought one of those at least 10 years ago. It's great!
Aldi have learned then, the one I have has a cammed clamp type
for the grand total of 20 quid it’s too good a deal for me
i have some of their cycle clothing that I got for my commute that has lasted years so had no hesitation in getting one
> Another vote for the Park PCS-10.2. I had an Aldi one but because my heaviest bike is an e-bike (23kg), due to my age, I was starting to struggle to hold it in place to tighten the clamp screws. The Park one has a cammed easy turn clamp that makes this very easy. Mind you the Park stand is about x5 the price of the Aldi one!
And will probably last 10 x longer. The clamping mechanisms on most of these cheaper ones look and feel very flimsy. The Park PCS was also the ONLY one I tried that felt anything like sturdy enough to hold my 23kg e mountain bike.
Al
I got a pretty useful and inexpensive stand from Decathlon.
> I don't understand? Why would anyone turn their bike upside down?
> E
before there were bike stands that was what everyone did. It was rubbish because your saddle got scuffed and your levers or grips got damaged.