From replacing worn-out brake pads to rebuilding a shock damper, or even just cleaning your chain, a quality bike work stand will make the process considerably more enjoyable. A work stand needs to hold a bike off the ground so you can tinker without having to lean it against something or flipping it upside down.
It sounds like a simple proposition, but there are some which get the job done considerably better than others. Like anything else, you get what you pay for, and higher-end stands will use nicer materials, have better clamps and greater adjustability.
Feedback Sports Pro Elite
The Gold Standard of bike workstands
The Feedback Sports Pro Elite bike work stand is lightweight, sees quality finishing, and is home to arguably the best clamp on the market — there is a reason you'll find a million of these work stands kicking around at just about any cycling event around the world. The red, anodised tubing is immediately recognisable, but it's the ratcheted dial clamp that sets the Feedback Sports Pro Elite work stand apart from its rivals.
The clamp works incrementally and requires no more than a full revolution to tighten and support the seat tube. The clamp releases with the push of a button.
The tubing is made from aluminium, and the three-legged platform is stable on any surface, uneven ground included.
Park Tool PRS-25 Team Issue
The Closest Thing to a Shop Stand
Even though Park Tool's Team Issue bike work stand isn't dressed entirely in the brands signature blue, it is the brand's best portable work stand, offering a folding design and a stable three-point platform.
The clamp is cam-actuated; the lever flips like a quick release and then spins for fine adjustments. Lined with soft-touch rubber, the jaws can accommodate tubes from ~22mm up to 76mm. For fast repairs, there is enough room to hang the nose of the saddle over the clamp.
The hex-shaped tubing is made from aluminium which keeps the weight low, and it can achieve a clamping height of 152cm so you can easily get in underneath the bottom bracket.
Feedback Sports Sport Mechanic
Solid and Durable
With a notably smaller price tag, the Feedback Sports Sport Mechanic misses out on the nifty quick-release ratcheting clamp and red anodised tubing of its more expensive sibling, but it still offers a stable, lightweight and portable bike work stand.
The clamp is still lined with grippy rubber, but to grab your bike's seat post, you'll have to spin the lever on the clamp unit. (It's tight enough to support the weight of your bike). Despite its max weight being 29kg to the Pro Elite Stand's 39kg, with anything except an e-MTB, it's no less stable even when attempting to loosen bottom-bracket bearings or crank bolts.
The stand compacts down just as small as the rest of Feedback's stands and even with its lower price point, it's lightweight, too.
Park Tool PSC 4-1 Deluxe Home Mechanic Repair Stand
Ideal for Home Use
With a four-leg system, the Park Tool Deluxe stand is ideal for home use. It's available with two different shop clamps; one with an adjustable linkage and a micro-adjust cam clamp. Both of these are top-end shop clamps meaning the bike can be adjusted at any angle and the jaw protectors are replaceable and readily available.
The legs are powder-coated steel tubing but can get a bit unstable on uneven ground. When you lift the stand up the legs collapse flat meaning the work stand can be tucked into a corner or down the side of a cabinet or closet.
Bike Hand Bike Repair Stand
Capable and thoughtfully designed
This Bike Hand bike stand is one of the lowest in price when it comes to home repair stands, making it a great option for those on a tight budget. Don't worry that low cost means low quality though, because this repair stand folds up to be very compact and is lightweight enough to maneuver into place when needed. It comes with a tool tray so you can store all your most used items and small parts within reach.
While there are a lot of plastic parts that may wear over time, it's still a great option if you’re only just starting out doing bike repair at home, or if you only plan to use this once in a blue moon.
Feedback Sports MTB Scorpion stand
Perfect for Trailhead Adjustments
Motocross race pits are packed full of work stands that support the bikes from the bottom, and so it's no surprise this idea has been adapted for MTBs. The Feedback Scorpion uses a rod which slots into the hollow bottom-bracket axle to lift the rear wheel off the ground.
Small and light, the powder-coated steel arms are rated to hold 22.7kg and the work-stand folds down flat when not in use. It can also double as a storage stand.
1. Clamp
The most important thing on a bike work stand is the clamp. You want something that's quickly adjustable with one hand and offers plenty of purchase without too much clamping force — especially if you're grabbing onto a carbon tube, a concern you'll be familiar with if you also own a lightweight carbon road bike.
Also look for something with soft rubber on the interior of the clamp as this will not only prevent scratches to the paintwork but also require less clamping force. We also like clamps that have a quick-release mechanism as opposed to a rotary knob - the latter of which makes setting up very tricky and frustrating at times. That said, a degree of fine adjustment is also needed so you don't crush delicate components.
2. Foldability
If you're anything like us, garage space is at a premium, shared with cars, camping equipment, ski gear, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers... you get the idea. With this lack of space, most of us don't have room for a fixed work stand with a heavy pedestal base - instead, you're going to want a foldable stand. You should also keep in mind how easily it folds and unfolds to maximise storage space.
3. Angle adjustment
Being able to tilt your bike is crucial when you're trying to get a bubble to rise to the top of a hydraulic brake line or get a better angle for working on your suspension forks.
Look for a stand that allows the head to be easily tilted and then locked down rigid.
4. Max weight
The maximum weight a stand can hold really didn't become a significant issue until the advent of e-bikes, however with e-MTBs weighing 20kg plus, and quickly gaining popularity it's something to keep in mind.
5. Replaceable jaw protectors
A bike work stand is an investment and it's something you should be able to use and abuse for years to come. Most stands, even on the more budget-friendly end of the price spectrum, will have replaceable jaw protectors and should be readily available through an authorised dealer.
6. Clamp, not race stands
The race-style bottom-bracket-supported bike work stands look good, and they work well if your bike has quick-release skewers, however, if you're running thru-axles they can be fiddly at best.
