Bike repair stands: the good, the bad and the stable.

These Tacx ones a re good and the by it now price is great I would buy it but the workshop has enough stands
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-Workstand-Repair-stand-folds-flat-for-storage-Tacxs-make-/280912427687

These aren't bad but not as good as the Tacx
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bike-cycle-maintenance-repair-work-stand-/150850787791

I've got on fine with the Lidl stand so far. I'm going to add some oversized washers around the plastic parts which are under more stress.

Will report back if (as and when) it brakes in any way.

Have been regularly using my Lidl bike stand for 2 years now with no problems whatsoever. They are guaranteed for 3 years so seem a risk free buy as long as you put receipt somewhere you'll rememeber.

^Yes, secured away in the receipts folder!

When I was getting more aggressive with the bike, there was some movement in some of the fixings, but I've tightened these up to avoid fatigue.

I see i'm dragging up a v old thread so if this is the wrong place, let me know.

Looking at getting the park pcs-10 or the tacx T3350 spider - I've found them both for exactly the same price. Any opinions on which would be best - they're two very different animals, the park being a simple clamp which looks a lot less faff to me. The tacx involves removing the front wheel and clamping the bottom bracket - but it's a lot smaller and folds away and for that reason I'm leaning towards the tacx.

Before i bite the bullet - anything I'm missing? Cheers

Park is sweet, I love mine.

I prefer the design of the tacx: lower c.o.g, lower moments. Not sure exactly which of the parks it is, but I did read a few complaints about them. Google for reviews.

I'd go for the Park version of the spider design.

Park = superior quality

cheers all, appreciated. didnt realise you could slide the base up the pcs10 before folding the legs down, hence not as big to store as i thought, prob go with that.

As a basic but sturdy stand, these are quite good

http://www.od-designs.co.uk

^^Yup, stores away nicely.

I'm looking for a wall mounted repair stand - who has any experience / opinions?

I've looked at these so far:

BD Bikes - Wall + Bench Mounted Repair Stands

Park Tools - Deluxe Wall Mount Repair Stand

Any repair stands that support the whole bike rather than clamping a tube that aren't pricey?

A new, but returned Park Tool PRS-20 for half-price, was posted in the non-eBay deals thread and I bagged it.

But I'm now experiencing buyer's remorse: yours for the same price.

It wasn't in the original packaging and picked-up a scuff on one of the legs in transit, otherwise it's brand new and unused: I assembled it and bought a bolt for the pivot as that was missing.

Otherwise the budget options are the Tacx CycleMotion and Cyclestand, which lose the ability to swivel the bike on the stand.

Thanks for the offer. Would snag it if I wasn’t in Aus.

Cyclestand looks good but can’t seem to find any stock out here.

I imagine there's something similar coming out of China, which would be easier for you.

Was thinking of putting in a request for your stand but think I want the prs-25, if it wasn't £250. Prefer the way it folds and how it clamps tubes, rather than the quick release wheel option.

Two different stands altogether.

If you only work on steel frames and/or round seat posts, then the PRS-25 is fine (apart from there being many other equally capable stands, that are much cheaper).

If you work on carbon frames and/or non-round seat posts then they're a poor choice.

which cheaper, equally capable stands do you speak of?

I have one of these you can have for £50 if you like. Don't think it ever got used.

https://www.merlincycles.com/bike-tools-workstand-49075.html

See Dogtemple's reply.

It was more of a general point though: like BLB, I find Park Tool over-priced for what they are.

Comparing the PRS-20 I have and the Feedback Sports Sprint that I was considering, the PT is rather more agricultural in construction and a less sophisticated design.

It is also heavier and has a lower capacity.

They both retail for around £200, which makes the PT over-priced for me and reflects my experience of PT in general.

They've built up the brand as the "nice but pricey" of the tool world, but the premium you pay doesn't get you the quality I'd expect.

Damn you I'm now lusting after those pro elite work stands..

@Dogtemple, give me a couple of days to think about it, seriously considering it. Just a question of whether I buy yours or treat myself to one of those pro elite stands..

The Pro Elite is the one with the traditional clamp yeah? Don't rate 'em really, the clamp is a bit finicky and on the on I used, the arm the clamp is on had a tendency to swing down and smash your knuckles as you tried to adjust the angle or something.

Not that I'd actually buy a Park for myself either, but when it's the shop's/boss's buck...

Ive used various stands in the different places I've worked and it's always the Park ones that just work properly, the other brand ones that are bodged with random nuts and bolts and bits of inner tube and gaffer tape and stuff.

the other brand ones that are bodged with random nuts and bolts...

You see that's what pisses me off about the Park stand: it's built from repurposed/generic parts and has a crude, garden shed feel to it.

Which is fine, unless you're paying the Park premium.

I'll concede that it seems over-engineered and should stand up to heavy use though.