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J Z wrote:

Thinking about getting a stand, those of you who have them, any differences between the two and four leg models? What are the benefits/drawbacks? What do you have and how do you like it?

I've had a Pedros' race stand (tripod) for years; recently acquired a Park bench-mount. The Pedros has served me well. It tends to get a little cranky with long heavy bikes, but folds up nicely for storage. Nothing to get excited over, but perfectly functional. The Park stand is a frickin' rock, but they are not cheap. The bench- and wall-mounted ones are cheaper then the freestanding ones, but you lose the ability to easily move it around. I have the Park bolted onto the corner of a heavy workbench, and use it for frame prep/full rebuilds/'bents and tandems. I use the Pedros for quick service/cleaning/hold-the-frame-while-I-mess-with-wheels stuff.

i have a FEEDBACK pro elite that works great. tends to be cheaper than the park. really can't tell them apart.

Thanks for the feedback. @reddan that price point on the Park made me wince and was what made me ask to see if there were equivalent options. With the weather, haven't done any long rides and probably as good a time as any to start working on improving my wrenching skills, as feeble as they are.

I'm currently using my drill press table with a couple strategically placed v-blocks and clamps. (and some leather strips to prevent scratching) If you are creative with the workshop materials that you already have, you may be able to create a stand that is as good as many stands of poorer quality. (I really hate cheap tools. They just end up being and endless hassle and needing replacement. So unless I have the money for a high-quality tool, I tend to improvise. [or beg/borrow {I don't steal}])

I have the Park Tool PCS-10. It is pretty nice, although it is not nearly as portable as it used to be. The legs still fold in, but they don't telescope like they did originally.

I have the Park Tool "home use" bench mount stand, which sells for about $115 at REI. I got it as a gift but would readily buy it with my own money. The only problem is that it holds the bike pretty close to the bench, limiting access to both bike and bench. I solved that by making an "intermediate" mounting surface that bolts to the bench, with wing nut fasteners for quick removal. The Park Tool mount bolts to the mount I made, giving another 18" of space between the bike and bench top. It works nicely; I'll try to post some pictures.

andyc wrote: (I really hate cheap tools. They just end up being and endless hassle and needing replacement. So unless I have the money for a high-quality tool, I tend to improvise. [or beg/borrow {I don't steal}])

This has been my experience as well. Sometimes you have to spend money to save it; this is typically one of those times.

Many years ago I read some advice in the Last Whole Earth Catalog which I have found ever useful since: "The first time you buy a tool, buy the cheapest one that will do the job; when that breaks, buy the best one you can afford."

jonawebb wrote:“The first time you buy a tool, buy the cheapest one that will do the job; when that breaks, buy the best one you can afford.”

Reminds me of a saying of my father's: "If you buy the best, you will cry once, because of the price. If you buy anything less, you will cry every time you use it, because it is not the best."

I have a Spin Doctor Pro G-3. Middle of the road, price wise, which is where I generally tend to inhabit. I like it well. It stores compactly (important to me) and is quite portable. http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1030266_-1_400152__400152

I bought this stand: http://feedbacksports.com/shop/Recreational-Work-Stand-P5C1.aspx way back when Trek branded them with its Wrench Force name. Well over a decade ago. It continues to serve me well. Any stand from Feedback is a good work stand. a

I have a Feedback Pro Elite. I wish it wasn't "lightweight" because I've had it tip over more than once. I don't know how people use the 2 legged stands. If I were to do it again, I'd buy the Feedback head and clamp it to my stripper pole.

I scored a deal on a Park PCS-11 after they discontinued it - it's the same as the 10 but aluminum. not sure why it was discontinued but it's great, so I assume the 10 would be as well. I like how everything is easy to adjust with one hand while you hold the bike with the other. I disagree about buying the best, I usually shoot for the knee of the quality curve - not crap, but also not overpriced stuff I don't need.

They're not really two legged (at least the Park stands) - the third leg is just short, and the support pole leans forward to put the weight of the bike over the main legs. Mine is stable as hell, I've rotated the bike all around with no sign of tipping, and often crank the hell out of the pedals.

ericf wrote: Reminds me of a saying of my father’s: “If you buy the best, you will cry once, because of the price. If you buy anything less, you will cry every time you use it, because it is not the best.”

Assuming that you know what the best is... I think Last Whole Earth has it right, buy cheap until you figure out what you really want in an item, then get the *best. *(best, meaning cost/quality factor... I don't pay for labels if the second tier is just as good). I've yet to invest in a stand, so I'm no help in this thread. I use shelf-brackets with space for a wooden dowel on the end as my indoor stand and my cartrunck-rack when the weather allows. From what I've seen/read Feedback sports is the way to go seeing as the Park stuff is $$$. I considered getting a Park bench-mounted stand but it's almost as pricey as the mid level stand-alone stand.

In this case, a Park PRS-3, ($300)bolted to the floor, would be the best. Compromises for portability, price, or anything else will result in a less satisfactory experience every time you use the stand. I currently have a cheapo folding stand cost around $100. It works, but not nearly as nice as the stands they have in the shops. The clamps don't always hold, and it is just not very stable. Much better than no stand at all, but not that great either. Now, when I eventually buy the PRS-3, I will be $100 in the hole because I bought crap the first time. Brands/labels do not automatically translate to good or best stuff, same for price. Do the research before you buy, and buy the best. You won't be disappointed.

a cheap way out would be a hitch mounted rack mounted to a bench . double duty >