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

I'm looking for a work stand. Like the majority here I'm looking for major bang from my buck, preferably < £75.

I do some Dr Bike sessions so something portable like this would be really useful but it's not essential:

TOPEAK PREPSTAND MAX WORKSTAND

When I used it I thought good things of it but reviewers suggest it's BB clamp doesn't work for all frame types e.g. fat down tubed, helical styles, many carbon types.
But it does fold to a very small size.
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Minoura W-3100

The clamp seems good but I don't like the limited spread of the feet. Apparently removing a wheel off the bike can send it toppling. Also it has no height adjustment (but you can simply move the bike to the correct height).

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Sealey Cycle Stand

I know Sealy make decent quality tools but there are no reviews for this at all. The web site has the feel of motor vehicle/heavy duty background which is somehow appealing in my mind? Anyone know anything about this?

It strikes me that unless you're spending a lot of cash, the lower end Park Tools are NOT all that. Any other helpful info or submissions?

lidl £30 bike stand ftw.

Heavy (i.e. not really mobile) but was definitely £30 well spent for me. Obviously getting hold of one can be a little tricky.

I disagree, I have the lowest-end Park stand and it really is 'all that'. It has no frills but it's very stable, solid and well designed. I use it a lot and it's a joy actually. You could borrow it if you like.

I've got a simple but very useful Tacx workstand second hand of ebay for about half of that you want to spend.

those holding the seatpost won't work with (e.g.) stuck bracket cups. these are 100 euros or something like that

http://tacx2009.ilink2.nl/nl/producten/fietsgereedschappen/Montagestandaards/CycleMotion+stand.dot

I don't get what you're saying about stuck bracket cups also re^ doesn't the front wheel always have to come off to use it?

I disagree, I have the lowest-end Park stand and it really is 'all that'. It has no frills but it's very stable, solid and well designed. I use it a lot and it's a joy actually. You could borrow it if you like.

Can't remember exactly what mechanics say but it's been consistent.

Mine is similar, down tube and bb shell mount, and wheels stays on.

Re stuck cups: it might be to wobbly to do anything that needs loads of leverage on the stands that hold the bike by the seatpost.

I don't get what you're saying about stuck bracket cups also re^ doesn't the front wheel always have to come off to use it?

(when working on old steel bikes) sometimes (parts are stuck and) force is necessary. you can put your full weight on this one, the others you showed will just collapse.

either the front or back wheel has to come off, yes. is that a problem?

If I want to do something that puts a lot of leverage on the bike I lower the clamp right down on the stand so that it holds the bike against the floor. There's no substitute for being able to push against the floor.

Any of those jaw clamp type stands are gonna be a bit crap, they do however offer you lots of flexibility and are simple to use for a multitude of bikes. I have the Park PRS-25 but don't use it loads as prefer the feel of the PRS-20 which allows you easy access to both sides of the bike and the handlebars don't constantly swing round and hit you in the head. It's also more portable especially in the PRS-21 super-light guise.

Cheap stands are crap and should be avoided.

Good thread. I too am looking to buy one of these soon as I am currently using a washing dryer stand and had an incident at the weekend

I have the Topeak above, and it's not all that great. The downtube clamp doesn't like narrow tubing, so you need to pad it out to get it to clamp. And every time I take a bike off, it gets tangled up in something - normally the clamp and bottle cages.

But it does fold up small and is pretty stable.

I've got the Sealey at home, it does the job admirably, although it's pretty heavy duty, so not particularly mobile...

Other than that, good and stable, which is what you want, really.

at home currently using an old trainer stand (front wheel removed jobby) as it mimics many workstands, plus I can do intervals on it too (kidding).

For out 'n about would love one of the little stands used in the "wash your bike" pics in the parktool blue book, but not enough to have got one yet. (PRS20 infact)

Current "Dr Bike" check sessions I work without a stand, if bike needs work that'd require it to go in a stand that's an instruction to refer owner to a bike shop for a proper job.

Nice thread idea tho, needs a list somewhere (lfgss user workstand database).

I've got the Feedback sports pro elite. It wasnt cheap. But considering Aspire Velotec sort things so that escaped customs fees. It was well priced for me. Its a pretty awsome piece of kit. So gladI spent the extra. Zero regrets.

I hear good things about the ultralight too.

http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=RPRSTANDS

Was just looking at that. Get good feedback it seems. But £250 online is the lowest it goes for :(

Any of those jaw clamp type stands are gonna be a bit crap, they do however offer you lots of flexibility and are simple to use for a multitude of bikes. I have the Park PRS-25 but don't use it loads as prefer the feel of the PRS-20 which allows you easy access to both sides of the bike and the handlebars don't constantly swing round and hit you in the head. It's also more portable especially in the PRS-21 super-light guise.

Cheap stands are crap and should be avoided.

Like the TACX its constantly having to remove a wheel to use that jars

TOPEAK PREPSTAND MAX WORKSTAND

I've got one from Decathlon that's the same sort of design as this, and wouldn't recommend it.
The area the BB rests on is rubbery and renders the bike unstable for anything more than tweaking the brakes or gears, and the clamp is a ratchet strap that doesn't tighten adequately.
(On the upside, it was only £30)

After quite a bit of research I got one of these:

It's solid, easy to adjust and I like the fact it doesn't have too many legs to trip over. Folds up relatively compact too which is useful in a small flat.

It's sometimes Raleigh branded but is sold under other names too. I got mine from Rutland Cycling where they are currently £49.99 including delivery:
Raleigh Accessories Folding Workstand - Only £49.99 - Rutland Cycling

Just a thought: It would be useful if folk could mention other stands that they've used to give some background. Obviously if you're on your first stand your frame of reference is slightly limited. But keep adding...

don't have make / model, but had one like the raleigh ^^ with red footings.

Found it collapsed often as the adjusting clamps weren't strong enough, eventually the thread on the main bike clamp stripped so it became useless as won't lock in place.

The stands at bikes4all where I did my parktool course were amazing.

I have the Sealey you mention, well kind of - it looks the exact same and I got it from Decathlon:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/velo-works-workshop-stand-id_8034462.html

£50, does the job and it is very stable. The clamping mechanism is not the best though and you need skills to hold the bike in the air while closing the clamp.

Apart from that, I think it is good value for money.

I find myself torn between the Tacx and the Park tools 20.

Both need wheel removal. One really packs away to nothing but costs a little more. The other feel like a full work station....Hmmm

don't have make / model, but had one like the raleigh ^^ with red footings.

Found it collapsed often as the adjusting clamps weren't strong enough, eventually the thread on the main bike clamp stripped so it became useless as won't lock in place.

The stands at bikes4all where I did my parktool course were amazing.

Are you sure it was exactly like that one? There's nothing wrong with the adjusting clamps on mine and the quick releases are solid. I've had my Raleigh 3 speed on it (which weighs a tonne) with no problems. I've not had a wobble, never mind a collapse.

It wasn't the exact same model, no.