Bike Stand Recommendations?

[Proto Stache]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to up my badassity by doing more of my own bike repairs and realizing that it would be really helpful to have a bike Stand to make the repairs easier to manage. I naturally thought of the Mustacians, combining bikes and insourcing 😃

Do you have any recommendations for a good bike Stand for a beginner at doing home repairs? I have limited space (small apartment), so something that can be folded up/collapsed and stored would be helpful. Also, I am currently only going to be working on two bikes, mine and my son's, so I don't want to spend a lot of money on something professional, just a good basic stand to use in the home.

Thanks in advance!

Proto 'Stache

[GuitarStv]

I've built a couple bike stands out of scrap lumber, and while they work OK they don't fold up very well.  Posting to follow.

[kendallf]

I have one of the Park Tools home stands, and while it folds up, it still requires a good bit of space as it's maybe 5' tall folded.  It also has a clamp that doesn't micro-adjust; the professional Park stands have a much better adjustable clamp.  All that to say, I wouldn't buy one of those.

You can buy several different wall or bench mount repair clamp heads (including the nice Park one) and then make your own wall or bench mount.  That's what I'd do; a quick look on Amazon shows some fairly decent looking clamps starting at about $30.

[acroy]

I tried a dedicated bike stand. Gave up bike stands because it was heavy, bulk, hard to store, and would fall over and damage stuff if you looked at it crosswise.
Been using a cheap 6' plastic folding table like this one
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-6-Centerfold-Table-Multiple-Colors/46368979
Flip the bike upside down using a cardboard box to support the handlebar. Works like a charm. And now you have a handy-dandy 6' folding table for other uses too!

[Jack]

I recommend a good-quality repair stand, bought used. Mine is a Pedro's that I paid $100 (I think) for.

Of course, if you've got a convenient bench or wall to bolt the thing to then just buying the appropriate clamp head will be the way to go. I work on bikes in my kitchen, so that wasn't an option for me.

[Brokenreign]

I have this one:

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5007-830/Recreational-Work-Stand

The clamp works really well and it folds quite neatly. I've had it for 5 or 6 years and it still works great. Simple and not much to break on it. I thought having a stand would encourage me to maintain by beloved cycles better. That turned out not to be the case as both remain in a perpetual state of disrepair.

[auxym]

I have this one I got new in packaging for 75$ on kijiji.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/tools/cycling-tools/repair-stands-and-workstands/product/review-xtools-workshop-prep-stand-pro-10-9175/

For the price, it's great for occasional use. The clamp doesn't feel as sturdy as a Park stand, but it's been holding up great for 2 years now. Plus, it folds up pretty compact when not in use., only like 3 feet high x 8 in dia, roughly. Would recommend unless you use it every single day for hours, in that case definitely invest in a shop quality stand like Pedro or Park.

[Primm]

I have an Aldi one I paid $49 for. It works absolutely fine now I have it adjusted. I do wrap a soft cloth around my frame when I clamp it in though, I don't trust it *that* much.

[PFHC]

Two threaded rubberized hooks screwed into a wall mounted 2 x 4 frame. Get creative with it. Maybe $10 worth of parts.

When I was in college, I did bike repairs using my 2 x 4 bunk bed I built and two wire clothes hangers bent into hooks. Did some serious work on that bad boy. Get Macguyver with that bad Larry. You can build it, just don't take no for an answer! ;)

[BlueMR2]

I really don't see why you need one at all if you have any furniture.  Bikes don't need all that much maintenance.  I built my newest one up from raw parts and didn't even use a stand.  Can be done pretty easily on the floor mostly, but sometimes hooking a handlebar on a chair or a couch is helpful.

Where I did spend the money was on a basic trainer though.  Making the adjustments without a trainer (out on the road) is a pain.  Doing it static doesn't work all that well as the flex of things in motion *does* matter.

[FINate]

I use a portable Park Tool stand similar to http://www.parktool.com/product/home-mechanic-repair-stand-pcs-10?category=Portable  It works great, no issues with tipping. The clamp is fully adjustable - can twist the handle to get the exact adjustment and then lock-unlock. It folds down to 4 or 5 feet in length and is small enough to stow under most beds or in a closet.

For more involved DIY bike repair a stand is a huge help. For example, it's best to remove the wheel and brake pads before replacing hydraulic brake fluid and having a stand makes this so much easier. Even simple things like tuning the derailleur is way easier with a proper bike stand. 

[Proto Stache]

Thanks everyone for the ideas...been away from tech for a bit.  I think I'll keep turning the bike over, and also keep an eye on Craigslist for a good stand at a decent price.

[snogirl]

FWIW, I bought a Feedback Sports repair stand using coupons & sales flyers.
That brought the price down reasonably.  Feedback is a company in Golden Colorado and owned by bikers.
Love my stand.