[Closed] Cheap dodgy bike stands for gear fettling?

Can't use it with thru axles.  Can't use it without a wheel in the frame.  The legs are in the way for a lot of fettling with gears or brakes.

Looks a bit too limited in what you can do to make it worth getting over saving up for a proper stand

I'd just use for rim brake road bikes and I'd like the wheel in as I'd be just tinkering with gear changes. Can't use a normal workstand on my lovely carbon frame and won't have enough seatpost showing to clamp to that. Had thought about getting a very basic used dumb turbo to use but they cost more than a small house at the moment!

Just buy a Lidl/Aldi generic.

Do you have a hollow axles crank? Something like this maybe?

https://www.bikeinn.com/bike/pro-bb-workstand/136930003/p?utm_source=google_products&utm_medium=merchant&id_producte=7478837&country=uk&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrn5BRB2EiwAZgL9otxkDmaXWgVIs1jKzLBKrztKmE5ROnxW_rsGUbZ51ibg0wuwoXhhSRoCOOsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

SquirrelKing - which ones? Can't use a workstand as mentioned as can't clamp to anything.

YoKaiser - that looks a great option. Bit pricey for what it is though. What about this as a cheaper alternative:

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.XLC-Hollow-Axle-Display-Stand_127027.htm?sku=497655&

Interestingly, Tredz also sell the "dodgy" ones:

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.ETC-1-Bike-Floor-Stand-Axle-Fit_46009.htm

I do all my fettling by hanging the saddle of my bike over a roof beam in the garage, works fine and totally free.

You can clamp most carbon frames, they're not made of paper

I had a topeak rear wheel thing. Worked perfectly for holding the bike stable and upright to fettle, allowed gears tuning.

But as above, for the price the aldi stands now make them obsolete.

Two wheelie bins.
Broom handle between them.
Hang bike from saddle.
Fettle.

#WellGhettoInnit

£7 LifeLine thing from Wiggle. Works fine for me, ideal for gear fiddling. Legs are only just long enough to keep it from tipping over with my 19kg bike.

Doh, been stupid. I've a Dura Ace crank so nowhere to fit those suggested by YoKaiser.

Northwind: No, can't clamp the frame. It's a posh one, very thin in places, comes with a lifetime warranty and the manufacturers say not to.

Anything else? Anyone tried those cheap things I initially posted?

Anyone tried those cheap things I initially posted?

They're a display stand. Better than nothing, but you're not going to want to use if for any serious work.

No, can’t clamp the frame. It’s a posh one, very thin in places, comes with a lifetime warranty and the manufacturers say not to.

And yet the manufacturers clamp the frames into a workstand when they assemble bikes in the factory. So, what you do is you clamp it on a part of the frame that isn't thin and make sure you don't crank it so tight that you crush the frame. Clamping it by the seatpost is an obvious thing, these being fairly strong and also easily replaced.

No, can’t clamp the frame. It’s a posh one, very thin in places, comes with a lifetime warranty and the manufacturers say not to.

Lol!

Didn't mean for this to drift onto this but why would you even risk damaging a lovely frame just for the sake of clamping it. Have a read of these below. As I mentioned, I also can't clamp to the seat post (carbon as well of course) as I won't have enough exposed.

https://ruckuscomp.com/news/2019/02/28/trek-madone-toptube-repair-

Toptube damages are of our most common repairs on carbon fiber bikes and for a number of reasons. Top tubes are of the thinnest areas on the bike, both for weight and vibration reduction, so they’re already vulnerable on a material level. However, many of the damages we see to this area are work stand and not crash related. Yep, you read that correctly: many people still crush top tubes using a bike work stand clamp.

https://cycletechreview.com/2019/bikes-frames/looking-after-your-carbon-frame/

Carbon fibre is designed to be incredibly strong under riding forces. The compressional stress put on frames when clamped in a bike stand, or put on a car rack, are completely different though. Frames with hard edges in their design, such as Canyon and Cervelo, are particularly susceptible to clamp damage as the force is concentrated on the edge. Never force a clamp shut on your frame, it’s much better to hold your bike in the stand by the seat post if possible.

I also can’t clamp to the seat post (carbon as well of course) as I won’t have enough exposed.

Buy a cheap aluminium seatpost and use that when you want to clamp the bike into a workstand.

Has a non-round special shaped seatpost so can't do that.

Anyone used the type I posted?

No.  Looking at it would it not be in the way when adjusting a mech?

Less packable but I’d probably rather go for Something like

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/pro-bike-display-stand

Edit: Ignore me, I think that leaves the wheel on the ground

I have one of these from Aldi. Fine for gear fettling. Just a small hook that the non-drive-side chainstay sits into. They don't sell them any more but the concept would work, easy enough to make your own. For thin delicate tubes, just cut a length of plastic pipe in half and lay it in the hook first, to spread the load.

Or these as alternatives? Bit worried the Topeak would scratch the frame and the "normal workstand" but with hooks might not push the bike out far enough or hold it still in anyway.

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You do realise that there is a world of difference between the force necessary to damage a frame and the force necessary to just hold on to it?

How do you suppose team mechanics do it?

Other alternative is to do what you did before anyone at home had stands, turn the thing upside down!

Other alternative is to do what you did before anyone at home had stands, turn the thing upside down!

That’s how I do it. Sounds like the OP’s bike is made from calcium deficient bones though and will probably break if the ground isn’t prepared with several layers of bubble wrap prior to flipping.

I think someone mentioned having an old set of road bars in the clamp of their work stand (possibly for washing duties). Seems like an easy way to add some stable and adjustable hooks to hang a bike by its top tube whilst working on. You could even tape them to protect delicate frames 😁

Two wheelie bins.

Ooh, how the wealthy live. Mr 2bins. 😁

This from Silca
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Silca/Hirobel-Frame-Clamp/MBM1

You do realise that there is a world of difference between the force necessary to damage a frame and the force necessary to just hold on to it?

This.

You don't need to wind the clamp up hard. Just enough to grip it gently. Do it on the seat tube and the crossbar will rest on the top of the clamp

Think someone mentioned having an old set of road bars in the clamp of their work stand (possibly for washing duties). Seems like an easy way to add some stable and adjustable hooks to hang a bike by its top tube whilst working on. You could even tape them to protect delicate frames

Obvious but genius. Sold.

Turn it upside down like it's 1985.