• If you’re planning on regular bike repairs, look for a mid-level bike stand
• A good repair stand starts with a good base
• Make sure the clamping mechanism holds the bike securely in all positions

At some point or another – probably first, when you were a child, you’ve flipped your bike over and attempted to make some repairs. Maybe it worked, or maybe it didn’t, but there are better ways to go about it.

A bicycle repair stand is the best tool for the job. Though the idea behind them is pretty simple, there are many variations and differences from model to model.

Before you start searching for a bicycle repair stand, consider first how it will be used. If you plan on making just a few easy repairs a year, there’s no need to go crazy. A simple base model will do the trick. But if you see yourself using it regularly, as is the case if your house has a number of bikes to maintain, it’s worth it to spend a little more.

Entry-level models start around $150 and usually fold up for easy storage or travel. More expensive ones also fold, but are made of heavy-duty materials. They cost between $200 and $400. Pro-style fixed stands often bolt to the floor or to a work bench, and generally begin around $400.

Regardless of price, there are a few things to keep an eye on. The first is the base. No matter the price, a quality stand will have a wide, secure base. Think of it this way: If you spent $2,000 on a bike, you’d rather not damage it by going with a cheap repair stand, would you?

Look for a solid base, preferably one that gives at least a three-point stance. Some less-expensive models have a pair of tubes that separate to form the legs. They’re OK in a pinch, but for regular use it’s best to have something a little more solid.

The next bit of the stand to consider is the height. If you’re going to spend a lot of time working on bikes, a stand that can easily be adjusted for the proper height is important. Some projects are best worked on sitting, while others work best standing. Look for a stand that has a telescoping height adjustment with locking, or at least very strong levers between sections.

Finally, consider the clamping mechanism. For almost all repairs, you’ll be clamping the seatpost of the bike. In that situation, a clamp that’s completely vertical is fine. But you won’t always want to clamp the seatpost completely straight, so you’ll need a clamp that can rotate 360 degrees.

The clamp itself should hold the bike securely. Some stands have a locking lever-type clamp, while some have a screw-down clamp and spring-loaded release. Whatever you choose, make sure the bike can’t slip out and onto the floor. Or, worse, slip out and fall on you while you’re working on it.

Tags: bicycle repair stand

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 10:21 am and is filed under Repair Stands. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.