Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I bought a Park PCS-1 used off Craig's List a few months ago.
It seems like a pretty good compromise between cost and quality.
I think list is around $150. Mine cost $50 and I've seen a couple others
for around $75, but they sell pretty fast. I've also seen a few various
Park stands for $50 to $150 at bike swap meets.
Its stable and holds the bike well. Its adjustable in angle, but not in
height. You can hold your bike by any tube, so you can get some height
adjustment by clamping in different places.
Its not as fancy or heavy duty as the big Park stands, but I don't find it
annoying as far as quality, and I have the same kind of attitude you do
about cheap or poorly designed tools. I use it 2 or 3 times a month and it
seems adequate so far.
I don't have experience with other types of stands to compare with.
I used a home made clamp mounted to a post in the basement for years and
finally bought this stand and I'm really happy that I did.

Lowell

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I am really clueless about what I should buy for a workstand. Here are
my requirements, in no particular order. (Buying from Performance Bike
would be a plus🙂

1. I am over 6 foot, so I need a workstand that will hold my bike at a
convenient height.

2. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, but I don't really
need a professional quality workstand. I am doing simple repairs now,
but I think I will probably be doing more complicated repairs in the
future. I don't want to have to buy a better stand in the future,
because I have outgrown this one. I really don't like cheap, poorly
designed tools;

3. This workstand will always be used indoors on a concrete floor -
never outdoors. It needs to be stable;

4. I have a BikeFriday folding bike - not sure if that matters.

TIA - Jay (jbollyn at neiu dot edu)

Quoted message said:

Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I am really clueless about what I should buy for a workstand. Here are
my requirements, in no particular order. (Buying from Performance Bike
would be a plus🙂

1. I am over 6 foot, so I need a workstand that will hold my bike at a
convenient height.

2. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, but I don't really
need a professional quality workstand. I am doing simple repairs now,
but I think I will probably be doing more complicated repairs in the
future. I don't want to have to buy a better stand in the future,
because I have outgrown this one. I really don't like cheap, poorly
designed tools;

3. This workstand will always be used indoors on a concrete floor -
never outdoors. It needs to be stable;

4. I have a BikeFriday folding bike - not sure if that matters.

TIA - Jay (jbollyn at neiu dot edu)

I don't have much of a feel for where the clampable places on a BF are
other than the seatpost.

If you want nice quality and versatile, I would really, really
recommend getting one with a vise-style clamp, rather than cam-type.
More and more bikes out there really want the vise style (they have a
lower peak force and are better at non-round tubes, both of which are
desirable features for the bikes being made now). I would get this one:
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=15844 . The Ultimate clamp
design is good, and they're a bit cheaper than most. If you want to
save money and still get really nice stuff, another thing to look at
are the wall or bench mount versions of the various stands. These
introduce a few limitations, but they're quite a bit cheaper and are
stiff and solid-feeling like nothing else.

If you want to be a tool lover and splurge a bit, get the EVT clamps:
http://www.efficientvelo.com/bikeholdingtools.htm .

Quoted message said:

Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I am really clueless about what I should buy for a workstand. Here are
my requirements, in no particular order. (Buying from Performance Bike
would be a plus🙂

1. I am over 6 foot, so I need a workstand that will hold my bike at a
convenient height.

2. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, but I don't really
need a professional quality workstand. I am doing simple repairs now,
but I think I will probably be doing more complicated repairs in the
future. I don't want to have to buy a better stand in the future,
because I have outgrown this one. I really don't like cheap, poorly
designed tools;

3. This workstand will always be used indoors on a concrete floor -
never outdoors. It needs to be stable;

4. I have a BikeFriday folding bike - not sure if that matters.

TIA - Jay (jbollyn at neiu dot edu)

Dear Jay,

More and more, I simply hang my bike from a large hook screwed into a
garage rafter, using whichever wheel dangles the bike conveniently.

The $1 hook seems to be quicker and easier and a lot higher for a lot
of bicycle work than the handsome, expensive stand gathering dust in
the corner of my garage.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Quoted message said:

More and more, I simply hang my bike from a large hook screwed into a
garage rafter, using whichever wheel dangles the bike conveniently.

i looked at the Park stands at a local shop and they seem
pretty flimsey. So I just clamped a 2X10 to a spare workbench
in my garage. At the end of it I screwed on a C-section piece
of metal open end up. I cover the metal with something
to prevent scratches and that's it. I also screwed an old
plastic dish on the 2X10. Gives me a place to put
little screws and nuts as I'm working on the bike.

The 2X10 sticks out a foot or so giving me plenty of
room to work. If I wanted I could reinforce it with
metal and come out farther.

Cost: $0
Functionality: I'll say 75% of a bike stand (some bikes
with real tight diamonds won't fit.
....thehick

I've been VERY happy with my Ultimate Pro for about 3 years now.

Quoted message said:

Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I am really clueless about what I should buy for a workstand. Here are
my requirements, in no particular order. (Buying from Performance Bike
would be a plus🙂

1. I am over 6 foot, so I need a workstand that will hold my bike at a
convenient height.

2. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, but I don't really
need a professional quality workstand. I am doing simple repairs now,
but I think I will probably be doing more complicated repairs in the
future. I don't want to have to buy a better stand in the future,
because I have outgrown this one. I really don't like cheap, poorly
designed tools;

3. This workstand will always be used indoors on a concrete floor -
never outdoors. It needs to be stable;

4. I have a BikeFriday folding bike - not sure if that matters.

TIA - Jay (jbollyn at neiu dot edu)

On Sat, 02 Sep 2006 06:42:19 -0500, richard <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I've been VERY happy with my Ultimate Pro for about 3 years now.

My choice too after using several others first. It's the best fold up
stand.

Quoted message said:

Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I am really clueless about what I should buy for a workstand. Here are
my requirements, in no particular order. (Buying from Performance Bike
would be a plus🙂

1. I am over 6 foot, so I need a workstand that will hold my bike at a
convenient height.

2. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, but I don't really
need a professional quality workstand. I am doing simple repairs now,
but I think I will probably be doing more complicated repairs in the
future. I don't want to have to buy a better stand in the future,
because I have outgrown this one. I really don't like cheap, poorly
designed tools;

3. This workstand will always be used indoors on a concrete floor -
never outdoors. It needs to be stable;

4. I have a BikeFriday folding bike - not sure if that matters.

You might want to consider something different like the Minoura RSX:

http://tinyurl.com/ermyr

It's well made, stable and a good choice for bikes that are too
"fragile" (CF, thinwall AL, thinwall Ti, etc) to clamp or don't offer a
good spot to place a clamp. It's a similar idea to the much more
expensive Park PRS-20 in that it holds the bike by the BB shell and
fork. The link is to a seller in Australia, which I chose for the
pictures showing the bike mounted in the stand as well as just the
stand itself., so the price is in Australian dollars. Nashbar has these
for around $50.

"[email hidden]" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I am really clueless about what I should buy for a workstand. Here are
my requirements, in no particular order. (Buying from Performance Bike
would be a plus🙂

1. I am over 6 foot, so I need a workstand that will hold my bike at a
convenient height.

2. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, but I don't really
need a professional quality workstand. I am doing simple repairs now,
but I think I will probably be doing more complicated repairs in the
future. I don't want to have to buy a better stand in the future,
because I have outgrown this one. I really don't like cheap, poorly
designed tools;

3. This workstand will always be used indoors on a concrete floor -
never outdoors. It needs to be stable;

4. I have a BikeFriday folding bike - not sure if that matters.

TIA - Jay (jbollyn at neiu dot edu)

Jay
I use the Ultimate Pro Stand and have been very happy. I dont want to
discount the McGyver approach to workstands, but my Ultimate stand is
portable and recently went on two extended vacations with me. Before
purchasing this stand, I would not have forseen the likelyhood of taking
my workstand on a trip, but it turned out to be quite convenient. Mine
came with a carrying case and packed nicely with my bike supplies.
I purchased this stand from Performance. They are currently offering
discounts on shipping and I believe a 10% discount code is vaild. That
may be a good savings. The codes that I have are 6001715 or 6001717 for
10% discount. I can't confirm if these are current since I have not tried
to use them.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=5962&item=40-0503
&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

Per richard:

Quoted message said:

I've been VERY happy with my Ultimate Pro for about 3 years now.

Maybe the "Pro" got past this, but I've had an plain old "Ultimate" for some
years now and the clamping mechanism makes me crazy every time I use it.
--
PeteCresswell

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions!

I think I will probably go with the Ultimate Bicycle Support Pro Elite
Repair Stand. Brands has it
http://brandscycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=4099 , free
shipping, no tax unless you live in NY. Before I pull the trigger, I
hope to find a retail store that has it on display, so I can actually
mount my bike http://www.bikefriday.com/bikeMMI.cfm?bf=57 on the stand.
I just don't want to be surprised. I also really want to see how the
clamp works, in case I want to upgrade.

Since I use my bike to commute year round in Chicago, I need a stand
that is not going to annoy me. I like to do maintenance and lube
frequently, especially in the winter. We all know how easy it is to use
the pro stands in bike shops, so I guess that would be the gold
standard in stands.

It was interesting reading about the improvised stands.

Carl - We have six bikes that hang from the garage ceiling on hooks,
but I think I need the bike horizontal to work on it comfortably.

Nate - Those are really interesting clamps. I think I will just use
what comes with the stand at first, but I suppose I will eventually
upgrade. That is why I want to actually mount the bike before purchase.
If the included clamp is going to give me a pain, I want to buy a
better clamp straight away.

There is a Performance Bike retail store in Chicago. I might stop in to
see what they have in person.

I have always had an appreciation for good tools, and I am not afraid
to spend a little money. I don't plan to die rich. All we can count on
is today, this minute. Some people say that is immature, but that's my
motto, and I'm stickin to it.

- Jay

Quoted message said:

Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I am really clueless about what I should buy for a workstand. Here are
my requirements, in no particular order. (Buying from Performance Bike
would be a plus🙂

1. I am over 6 foot, so I need a workstand that will hold my bike at a
convenient height.

2. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, but I don't really
need a professional quality workstand. I am doing simple repairs now,
but I think I will probably be doing more complicated repairs in the
future. I don't want to have to buy a better stand in the future,
because I have outgrown this one. I really don't like cheap, poorly
designed tools;

3. This workstand will always be used indoors on a concrete floor -
never outdoors. It needs to be stable;

4. I have a BikeFriday folding bike - not sure if that matters.

TIA - Jay (jbollyn at neiu dot edu)

On 2 Sep 2006 12:29:54 -0700, "[email hidden]" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions!

I think I will probably go with the Ultimate Bicycle Support Pro Elite
Repair Stand. Brands has it
http://brandscycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=4099 , free
shipping, no tax unless you live in NY. Before I pull the trigger, I
hope to find a retail store that has it on display, so I can actually
mount my bike http://www.bikefriday.com/bikeMMI.cfm?bf=57 on the stand.

Be sure to tell the retail store that you're going to buy it online.

Quoted message said:

I just don't want to be surprised. I also really want to see how the
clamp works, in case I want to upgrade.

Since I use my bike to commute year round in Chicago, I need a stand
that is not going to annoy me. I like to do maintenance and lube
frequently, especially in the winter. We all know how easy it is to use
the pro stands in bike shops, so I guess that would be the gold
standard in stands.

It was interesting reading about the improvised stands.

Carl - We have six bikes that hang from the garage ceiling on hooks,
but I think I need the bike horizontal to work on it comfortably.

Nate - Those are really interesting clamps. I think I will just use
what comes with the stand at first, but I suppose I will eventually
upgrade. That is why I want to actually mount the bike before purchase.
If the included clamp is going to give me a pain, I want to buy a
better clamp straight away.

There is a Performance Bike retail store in Chicago. I might stop in to
see what they have in person.

I have always had an appreciation for good tools, and I am not afraid
to spend a little money. I don't plan to die rich. All we can count on
is today, this minute. Some people say that is immature, but that's my
motto, and I'm stickin to it.

- Jay

Quoted message said:

Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I am really clueless about what I should buy for a workstand. Here are
my requirements, in no particular order. (Buying from Performance Bike
would be a plus🙂

1. I am over 6 foot, so I need a workstand that will hold my bike at a
convenient height.

2. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, but I don't really
need a professional quality workstand. I am doing simple repairs now,
but I think I will probably be doing more complicated repairs in the
future. I don't want to have to buy a better stand in the future,
because I have outgrown this one. I really don't like cheap, poorly
designed tools;

3. This workstand will always be used indoors on a concrete floor -
never outdoors. It needs to be stable;

4. I have a BikeFriday folding bike - not sure if that matters.

TIA - Jay (jbollyn at neiu dot edu)

Quoted message said:

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions!

I think I will probably go with the Ultimate Bicycle Support Pro Elite
Repair Stand. Brands has it
http://brandscycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=4099 , free
shipping, no tax unless you live in NY. Before I pull the trigger, I
hope to find a retail store that has it on display, so I can actually
mount my bike http://www.bikefriday.com/bikeMMI.cfm?bf=57 on the stand.

Given your bike, I would definitely want to try out any stand the
depends on clamping to the frame. The stand you linked to is intended
to clamp the top tube, make sure that works with your bike.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions!

I think I will probably go with the Ultimate Bicycle Support Pro Elite
Repair Stand. Brands has it
http://brandscycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=4099 , free
shipping, no tax unless you live in NY. Before I pull the trigger, I
hope to find a retail store that has it on display, so I can actually
mount my bike http://www.bikefriday.com/bikeMMI.cfm?bf=57 on the stand.

Given your bike, I would definitely want to try out any stand the
depends on clamping to the frame. The stand you linked to is intended
to clamp the top tube, make sure that works with your bike.

It's not intended to clamp anywhere in particular.

Hi R,

Forgive me, as I get on my soapbox for a minute:

I buy things from both online merchants and retail stores. Both have
their strengths and weaknesses. I don't feel I need to disclose the
contents of my wallet when I walk into a store, or what is in my heart.

One main advantage of online merchants is they don't need to pay
salaries to hourly sales staff who don't know anything, and are just
watching the clock anyway. The main drawback is if one needs to return
the item. Shipping costs really eat into your savings.

The main advantage of retail stores is one can touch and feel the
product, before taking the plunge. And there are occasional merchants
who can develop personal relationships with customers, and thus earn my
repeat business.

I don't feel empathy for retail stores who have a poorly thought out
(or outdated) business plan. Retail stores need to identify their niche
in the market, and focus on how to cater to that customer. They cannot
compete with online merchants simply on price.

It's a global economy. As long as retail stores have doors that open to
the public, I will feel free to walk in and kick the tires, whether or
not I actually intend to buy at that time.

My parents both worked in retail, and died broke. It is, for those who
are not nimble, a fading business model.

- Jay (stepping down from my soapbox)

R Brickston said:

On 2 Sep 2006 12:29:54 -0700, "[email hidden]" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions!

I think I will probably go with the Ultimate Bicycle Support Pro Elite
Repair Stand. Brands has it
http://brandscycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=4099 , free
shipping, no tax unless you live in NY. Before I pull the trigger, I
hope to find a retail store that has it on display, so I can actually
mount my bike http://www.bikefriday.com/bikeMMI.cfm?bf=57 on the stand.

Be sure to tell the retail store that you're going to buy it online.

Quoted message said:

I just don't want to be surprised. I also really want to see how the
clamp works, in case I want to upgrade.

Since I use my bike to commute year round in Chicago, I need a stand
that is not going to annoy me. I like to do maintenance and lube
frequently, especially in the winter. We all know how easy it is to use
the pro stands in bike shops, so I guess that would be the gold
standard in stands.

It was interesting reading about the improvised stands.

Carl - We have six bikes that hang from the garage ceiling on hooks,
but I think I need the bike horizontal to work on it comfortably.

Nate - Those are really interesting clamps. I think I will just use
what comes with the stand at first, but I suppose I will eventually
upgrade. That is why I want to actually mount the bike before purchase.
If the included clamp is going to give me a pain, I want to buy a
better clamp straight away.

There is a Performance Bike retail store in Chicago. I might stop in to
see what they have in person.

I have always had an appreciation for good tools, and I am not afraid
to spend a little money. I don't plan to die rich. All we can count on
is today, this minute. Some people say that is immature, but that's my
motto, and I'm stickin to it.

- Jay

Quoted message said:

Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I am really clueless about what I should buy for a workstand. Here are
my requirements, in no particular order. (Buying from Performance Bike
would be a plus🙂

1. I am over 6 foot, so I need a workstand that will hold my bike at a
convenient height.

2. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, but I don't really
need a professional quality workstand. I am doing simple repairs now,
but I think I will probably be doing more complicated repairs in the
future. I don't want to have to buy a better stand in the future,
because I have outgrown this one. I really don't like cheap, poorly
designed tools;

3. This workstand will always be used indoors on a concrete floor -
never outdoors. It needs to be stable;

4. I have a BikeFriday folding bike - not sure if that matters.

TIA - Jay (jbollyn at neiu dot edu)

Per [email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

The main drawback is if one needs to return
the item. Shipping costs really eat into your savings.

My rationale is the opposite. Being able to plop something into a box and have
FedEx or UPS pick it up the next day saves me money vs having to drive to some
merchant (who may or may not accept the return...), do the deed, and then drive
back home. I figure the drive-there-swap-drive-home thing is one man hour
absolute minimum... probably more like two.
--
PeteCresswell

I agree completely -- you can't go wrong with the Ultimate Pro workstand.
It's totally stable and allows me to raise the BB up to chest level (I'm
6'3"😉 which then allows me to swing the bike 360 degrees and hold it in any
position to accomodate whatever part I'm working on.

"richard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've been VERY happy with my Ultimate Pro for about 3 years now.

Quoted message said:

Need Workstand Recommendations Please

I am really clueless about what I should buy for a workstand. Here are
my requirements, in no particular order. (Buying from Performance Bike
would be a plus🙂

1. I am over 6 foot, so I need a workstand that will hold my bike at a
convenient height.

2. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, but I don't really
need a professional quality workstand. I am doing simple repairs now,
but I think I will probably be doing more complicated repairs in the
future. I don't want to have to buy a better stand in the future,
because I have outgrown this one. I really don't like cheap, poorly
designed tools;

3. This workstand will always be used indoors on a concrete floor -
never outdoors. It needs to be stable;

4. I have a BikeFriday folding bike - not sure if that matters.

TIA - Jay (jbollyn at neiu dot edu)

Nate Knutson said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions!

I think I will probably go with the Ultimate Bicycle Support Pro Elite
Repair Stand. Brands has it
http://brandscycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=4099 , free
shipping, no tax unless you live in NY. Before I pull the trigger, I
hope to find a retail store that has it on display, so I can actually
mount my bike http://www.bikefriday.com/bikeMMI.cfm?bf=57 on the stand.

Given your bike, I would definitely want to try out any stand the
depends on clamping to the frame. The stand you linked to is intended
to clamp the top tube, make sure that works with your bike.

It's not intended to clamp anywhere in particular.

IMO, many of the newer generation clamps are designed with the idea
that clamping the top tube is the first choice. And that's a good
idea, as more clamping force is required for the traditional "clamping
the seat tube" method, and many modern frames are fairly fragile.

Also, IMO, a stand such as the Park PRS-20 or the Minoura RS-X, which
hold the bike by the fork and the bottom bracket (i.e., no clamping
required) might be the best choice for many modern frames. YMMV.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

IMO, many of the newer generation clamps are designed with the idea
that clamping the top tube is the first choice. And that's a good
idea, as more clamping force is required for the traditional "clamping
the seat tube" method, and many modern frames are fairly fragile.

But the problem with top tube is that the brake cable often runs
underneath or above it. And it gets in the way or they'll scratch the
paint works when clamped.
--

Artoi said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

IMO, many of the newer generation clamps are designed with the idea
that clamping the top tube is the first choice. And that's a good
idea, as more clamping force is required for the traditional "clamping
the seat tube" method, and many modern frames are fairly fragile.

But the problem with top tube is that the brake cable often runs
underneath or above it. And it gets in the way or they'll scratch the
paint works when clamped.
--

Many clamps are designed to accomodate cable housing(s). The link to
the stand in question mentions this, for example.