How To Choose The Right Bike Repair Work Stand For Yourself

If you plan to do a bike maintenance or any sort of bike repairs, maybe you should consider buying bike repair work stand.

Maybe you have already seen one of those and you have immediately felt like it’s a brilliant idea – and believe me, it is.

Investing some money into a good quality bike work stand is going to save you a lot of time and pain.
Doing bike repairs without needing to bend down every few seconds will help your back but will also help you do your work more efficiently.

But how to know which bike work stand would be good enough for you, and what makes one bike stand different from the other?

Don’t feel overwhelmed with all the information you have gathered. I will help you to learn everything about bike work stands and how to choose the one for yourself.

Why Is Bike Repair Work Stand Useful?

Even if you don’t spend a lot of time doing a bike maintenance or bike repairs, once you start using bike work stand – you will never stop using it.

You may be wondering why?

Bike repair stand will lift up your bike and hold it at a comfortable height for you to work on the bike.
There is no need to hold the bike anymore with one hand.

==> Click Here For The Best Bike Repair Stand Reviews In 2017 <==

Lubing your chain, for example, will be way easier since you won’t need to hold the bike, and you will be able to rotate the bike wheel and chain without taking the bike for a spin.
Another great example would be adjusting rear derailleur, it seems almost impossible to do it with two hands without a bike stand.

Types Of Work Stands

There are basically two different types of bike work stands.

A tube-clamping and axle/bottom bracket mounted bike work stands.
They are used differently, and one might not fit an exact type of bikes while another will.

That will play a big role when purchasing a bike work stand for yourself.
It all depends on a bike type and the purpose of it.

 

Tube-clamping Work Stand

Tube-clamping work stands are the most common ones.It is usually used to grab the top bike frame or the saddle post to hold the bike in the air.

It is usually used to grab the top bike frame or the saddle post to hold the bike in the air.
It’s very easy to be mounted and it is done in just a few minutes.

However, they are not ideal for every type of bike.
It won’t work on the light bikes because light frame could simply be damaged by the weight which might be pulling it down.
You might be able to grab the bike onto the saddle post, but sometimes there might not be enough space to do so.

Also, it won’t work on bikes with super aero frames simply because that kind of frames don’t offer the right surface for tube-clamping work stand to be attached.

If you don’t have a very light bike or an aero frame, you will be good to use a tube-clamping work stand.
It’s the most commonly used one, and it’s the easier option than axle/bottom bracket mounted work stands.

Axle/Bottom Work Stand

Axle/bottom work stands are often used at World Tour races.

It gives more freedom to the person who is working on the bike because there is no clamping on the bike frame. That means that the bike can be easily spin while still attached to the work stand.

That’s what makes it easier for mechanics, to be able to approach any side of the bike without making even one step.
Axle/bottom work stands are also more compact than the tube-clamping ones, so if you don’t have a lot of space for work, you might consider using axle/bottom bracket work stand.

However, there’s something which might bother you.

One wheel of the bike must be removed in order to be used on that type of work stands.
That’s because axle/bottom bracket work stands aren’t clamping onto the bike frame or saddle post.

They are attaching the bike with bolts onto the work stand.

It might not be such a problem, however, on some newer bikes with integrated brakes it might be a real pain to deal with.

Portable Or Permanent Work Stand?

 

That’s right.
There’s a portable version of work stands as well.

It’s a great option for people who have no permanent workspace, and for everyone who needs to pack everything up when they’re finished working on something.

Also, it might be a great option for everyone who wants to be able to use it on events, at the friend’s house, or even take it on a ride in the case you experience a problem.

You can’t be more ready than that.

Permanent work stand might be a great deal for really committed home mechanics.
There is nothing better than having a stable permanent bike work stand installed in your garage, ready to be used anytime.

How To Choose The Right Work Stand For Yourself?

The most important thing to consider is what kind of bike you have.

As I have mentioned earlier, light bikes and bikes with aero frames won’t work very well with the most common tube-clamping work stands. So keep it in mind.

You might take a look at both types of work stands to decide which one will work the best for you.

Then, consider your workspace and decide whether you will go for a permanent or portable bike work stand.

When you have decided your type of a work stand, start looking around for work stands.
However, pay attention to all the features work stands offer, because every work stand is different and it has different features.

Features that usually come with work stands are angle adjustment, height adjustment, quick-release clamp, and load capacity.
Consider which of the features would you need and which of them would you like to have.

At the end, there is a budget.

There is a wide range of work stand prices, so make sure you know your budget.
Also make sure you know what you are looking for, and don’t settle for anything less than that. Best bike repair stands might be expensive, however, the investment is worth it.

What About DIY Option?

You might have already noticed on this page that it’s all about taking the matter into our own hands and dealing with stuff ourselves, instead of paying others to do it for us.

So what about building your own work stand?

That’s definitely an option and if you are handy with tools and have some spare time for a project, it’ll work out great for you.

You could make your bike stand from wood or even PVC pipe, as long as it’s strong enough to hold a bike in the air.
If you know how to work with metal, go for it because one of the best DIY work stands are made out of metal.

And if you are handy enough, you might be able to add any features you would like to have.
So it’s a great idea for a project, and at the end, you will have your own custom-made work stand.

Conclusion

Work stands aren’t that much expensive, and having one will definitely pay off after dealing with bike maintenance and bike repairs after a while.

If you have never used one, you will feel like you have missed a lot after you start using one.

I will also make another post in which I will list some of the best bike repair work stands in my opinion, to make it even easier for you people.

I hope this has helped you and if you have any question feel free to ask me in the comments.

If you don’t know how to perform a bike maintenance or a bike repair, you can find out in my other post.

 

Have you ever had experience using a bike work stand?

Let me know in the comments!