Recommendations for work stand?

In article <[email hidden]>, rick H
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I'd like to buy a workstand, but I need a little advice!
My bike's brake and gear cables run *exposed* across the frame's top
tube, and I'm not sure whether I need to look out for a stand with
a clamp that won't squash these at all, or whether they all cope
with that sort of thing. Advice and/or recommendations welcomed.

You can avoid the cable problem by clamping the seatpost, which also
reduces the chance of damaging the paint. I always used to clamp the
seat tube, but that doesn't work with top-pull front mechs or small ATB
frames.
If you're mainly doing maintenance rather than assembly, and just want
something to stick in the garage, then a couple of skyhooks attached to
the stem and seat cluster make a pretty good alternative - they're
obviously not portable or as versatile as a proper workstand, but are
sometimes more convenient.

Quoted message said:

On a rather sad note, the guy that used to sit across the partition from
me at work (and who was a regular cyclist) doesn't anymore...

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/6228465.stm>

"Police said Mr Austin, who was wearing high visibility clothing and a
helmet, apparently lost control of his mountain bike and was thrown from
the saddle."
Did he fall or was he pushed? Do you know that bit of road?

Rob Morley said:

In article <[email hidden]>, rick H
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I'd like to buy a workstand, but I need a little advice!
My bike's brake and gear cables run *exposed* across the frame's top
tube, and I'm not sure whether I need to look out for a stand with
a clamp that won't squash these at all, or whether they all cope
with that sort of thing. Advice and/or recommendations welcomed.

You can avoid the cable problem by clamping the seatpost, which also
reduces the chance of damaging the paint. I always used to clamp the
seat tube, but that doesn't work with top-pull front mechs or small ATB
frames.

Ah, that's great advice - thanks.

Quoted message said:

If you're mainly doing maintenance rather than assembly, and just want
something to stick in the garage, then a couple of skyhooks attached to
the stem and seat cluster make a pretty good alternative - they're
obviously not portable or as versatile as a proper workstand, but are
sometimes more convenient.

My family moved house recently. I wanted a garage, but, naturally, my
wife won the debate and got the house that she wanted, which doesn't
have a garage!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On a rather sad note, the guy that used to sit across the partition from
me at work (and who was a regular cyclist) doesn't anymore...

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/6228465.stm>

"Police said Mr Austin, who was wearing high visibility clothing and a
helmet, apparently lost control of his mountain bike and was thrown from
the saddle."
Did he fall or was he pushed?

I assume the police are involved to answer that question.

Quoted message said:

Do you know that bit of road?

I never been down that road, but I know the area. It's a really
beautiful part of the Hampshire countryside. The odd thing is that the
report says he died near the railway bridge, but as the map shows, it's
a straight road there, so it's hard to imagine a car careening round a
blind bend was to blame:

<http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=51.224504~-1.228173&style=h&lvl=15&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000>

--
Rick

In article <[email hidden]>, rick H

Quoted message said:

I'd like to buy a workstand, but I need a little advice! My bike's
brake and gear cables run *exposed* across the frame's top tube,
and I'm not sure whether I need to look out for a stand with a
clamp that won't squash these at all, or whether they all cope with
that sort of thing. Advice and/or recommendations welcomed.

IMMIC Kestrel Engineering made a simple stand which clamped the
bottom bracket shell. From memory it had a 1" id tube which could be
either mounted in a vice or stuck on a pole in the garden - working
on bikes outdoors is much better and easier than inside - imvho.

hth

--
A T (Sandy) Morton
on the Bicycle Island
In the Global Village
http://www.millport.net

rick H said:

Rob Morley said:

Quoted message said:

On a rather sad note, the guy that used to sit across the partition from
me at work (and who was a regular cyclist) doesn't anymore...

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/6228465.stm>

"Police said Mr Austin, who was wearing high visibility clothing and a
helmet, apparently lost control of his mountain bike and was thrown from
the saddle."
Did he fall or was he pushed?

I assume the police are involved to answer that question.

Quoted message said:

Do you know that bit of road?

I never been down that road, but I know the area. It's a really
beautiful part of the Hampshire countryside. The odd thing is that the
report says he died near the railway bridge, but as the map shows, it's
a straight road there, so it's hard to imagine a car careening round a
blind bend was to blame:

I know the road pretty well, and use it quite often as its only 4-5 miles from here.
It is fairly straight but has some narrow places with highish hedges.
Traffic does go too fast along there and police presence in the area is next to zero.

BTW - I was berated by a regular poster for mentioning this case last week.

John B

On 01/10/2007 13:33:54 rick H said:

Hi,

Quoted message said:

I'd like to buy a workstand, but I need a little advice! My bike's brake
and gear cables run *exposed* across the frame's top tube, and I'm not
sure whether I need to look out for a stand with a clamp that won't squash
these at all, or whether they all cope with that sort of thing. Advice
and/or recommendations welcomed.

Quoted message said:

On a rather sad note, the guy that used to sit across the partition from
me at work (and who was a regular cyclist) doesn't anymore...

Quoted message said:

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/6228465.stm>

Quoted message said:

-- Rick

These are £55, http://www.tacx.com/producten.php?fl=true&language=EN&lvlMain=18&lvlSub=64&lvlSubSub=203&ttop=Cyclestand

Sorry about your work colleague, sounds like it was just a bad fall, my best mate died like that 23 years ago.

--

Buck

Give a little person a little power and create a big problem.

http://www.catrike.co.uk

rick H said:

Hi,

I'd like to buy a workstand, but I need a little advice!
My bike's brake and gear cables run *exposed* across the frame's top
tube, and I'm not sure whether I need to look out for a stand with
a clamp that won't squash these at all, or whether they all cope
with that sort of thing. Advice and/or recommendations welcomed.

I have one of these:
http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=20723

The clamp has small cutouts that allow cables to remain uncrushed.

Peter

--
www.amey.org.uk

In article said:

I have one of these:
http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=20723
The clamp has small cutouts that allow cables to remain uncrushed.

Cycle King have a very similar looking stand for 50-something pounds
in their January sale, at least in Cambridge.

In article <[email hidden]>, rick H
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Rob Morley said:

In article <[email hidden]>, rick H
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I'd like to buy a workstand, but I need a little advice!
My bike's brake and gear cables run *exposed* across the frame's top
tube, and I'm not sure whether I need to look out for a stand with
a clamp that won't squash these at all, or whether they all cope
with that sort of thing. Advice and/or recommendations welcomed.

You can avoid the cable problem by clamping the seatpost, which also
reduces the chance of damaging the paint. I always used to clamp the
seat tube, but that doesn't work with top-pull front mechs or small ATB
frames.

Ah, that's great advice - thanks.

Quoted message said:

If you're mainly doing maintenance rather than assembly, and just want
something to stick in the garage, then a couple of skyhooks attached to
the stem and seat cluster make a pretty good alternative - they're
obviously not portable or as versatile as a proper workstand, but are
sometimes more convenient.

My family moved house recently. I wanted a garage, but, naturally, my
wife won the debate and got the house that she wanted, which doesn't
have a garage!

Time to start planning that shed then. :-)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On a rather sad note, the guy that used to sit across the partition from
me at work (and who was a regular cyclist) doesn't anymore...

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/6228465.stm>

"Police said Mr Austin, who was wearing high visibility clothing and a
helmet, apparently lost control of his mountain bike and was thrown from
the saddle."
Did he fall or was he pushed?

I assume the police are involved to answer that question.

I hope they take it seriously.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Do you know that bit of road?

I never been down that road, but I know the area. It's a really
beautiful part of the Hampshire countryside. The odd thing is that the
report says he died near the railway bridge, but as the map shows, it's
a straight road there, so it's hard to imagine a car careening round a
blind bend was to blame:

Maybe an HGV that thought it had passed him but underestimated his
speed. Or a couple of psychos in a Nova. I suppose it would be best if
it turned out to be a freak accident that didn't involve anyone else.
Not easy on family and friends whatever the cause. :-(

Rob Morley said:

Time to start planning that shed then. :-)

Ah, now the shed is a different proposition altogether! My bike used
to languish under a plastic rain cover at the old house, but here, it's
in a brick-built shed with kitchen units, butler sink, electricity and
double-glazing. Sadly the house was vacant when it was put on the
market, so I never got to meet the people who would build such a shed!

In any case, thanks to all for the suggestions regarding work stands.
I've plumped for the cheapest Park Tools one. Naturally I used the
on-line order to sneak a few other bits and bobs in under the wife's
radar!

--
Rick

Rob Morley said:

Quoted message said:

I never been down that road, but I know the area. It's a really
beautiful part of the Hampshire countryside. The odd thing is that the
report says he died near the railway bridge, but as the map shows, it's
a straight road there, so it's hard to imagine a car careening round a
blind bend was to blame:

Maybe an HGV that thought it had passed him but underestimated his
speed.

Its unlikely as the road is *very* unsuitable for HGVs.
It would not be possible for an HGV to overtake a cyclist without the rider
pulling in.

Quoted message said:

Or a couple of psychos in a Nova.

Given the problems with village yobs in nearby Overton that could be possible,
though the time of day would make that less likely.

John B