Bike workstands for pedelecs

wheelz

Finding my (electric) wheels
Mar 12, 2008
5
0
SouthWestUK
Seeking a workstand for a Kalkhoff Agattu...
Any recommendations?

The type that clamp the top tube look most versatile, but can they take the weight (about 22Kg without battery)?
This fold-up clamp stand gets good recent reviews;
X-Tools Workshop Prep Stand Pro Review - BikeRadar
Can't find manufacturer info on what weight it takes or what size tubes the clamp is good for. Does anyone have one? Is it up for a big bike?

This workstand and others can also turn the clamp vertical to grip the seatpost. That seems preferable for supporting the weight but then the bike will be off balance when positioned horizontally though it should be balanced when tilted downward, front wheel down.

The cheapest I've found surfing is an 'A-frame' type that supports the bike under the bottom bracket and up the down tube.
Home Mechanic Folding Bike Cycle Repair Stand (EBay)
I doubt that the Kalkhoff's crank-motor assembly would sit on this type of workstand. Has anyone tried?

Ta for any help.
 

Lloyd

Pedelecer
Jan 22, 2010
166
0
This is the stand I use for tech training on the Raleigh eBikes. I have no problems securing my bikes in this with or without batteries (22.9kgs).

The folding mechanism is great, it's a light stand, and it is very sturdy.

If you want a lightweight folding stand then you can't do much better than this one. Park also do a good folding stand, as do minoura.

If you want a heavy duty stand that you never have to move then Kestrel is the one almost every professional workshop uses. But it is one heavy beast.

One note though, you will struggle to secure the bike by the top tube as the rear brake cable on a crossbar is top tube mounted. The stand bracket will crimp it. You are better off lifting the bike by the seatpost. Plus no chance of damaging the paint.
 

eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6
we have 2 bikes a step through and a cross bar...what stand is recommended for both types of bike plse
 

Alex728

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 16, 2008
1,109
-1
Ipswich
I'd be interested to know what is suitable for a Wisper 905SE, I did ask on here a while back but never got a definitive answer other than a strange thing which hoisted up bikes on a pulley (which wouldn't be any good to me as I've not got a shed/garage with a tall enough roof)
 

eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6
Seeking a workstand for a Kalkhoff Agattu...
Any recommendations?
The bike radar one looks good to me..

the ebay one well...just does not look right at all! lol
 

jerrysimon

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 27, 2009
3,292
112
Cambridge, UK
This is mine




I have been pleased with it so far. The clamp is cast and not plastic. The clamp also rotates 360 degrees and the sturdy base ensures the thing stays upright no matter what position the bike is in.

Tesco no longer list them but there is a seller on Ebay that sells them around £60 I think. Its more of a permanent solution than fold up, but as I have a large workshop its not a problem.

A stand is also great for putting your bike on outside and cleaning it standing up not hunched over.

Regards

Jerry
 
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Mussels

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 17, 2008
3,207
8
Crowborough
I tried the Velomann stand and unfortunately it was broken and had to go back. I wasn't impressed with the clamp as it would only just open wide enough for the seat post and that meant the bike wasn't balanced very well. I'm thinking about trying this one, has anyone tried it or have any alternative styles to consider?
The cheapest I've found surfing is an 'A-frame' type that supports the bike under the bottom bracket and up the down tube.
Home Mechanic Folding Bike Cycle Repair Stand (EBay)
I doubt that the Kalkhoff's crank-motor assembly would sit on this type of workstand. Has anyone tried?

Ta for any help.
 

CeeGee

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 4, 2009
328
0
Weybridge, UK
One thought about the clamp on these stands not opening wide enough - is it possible to fit a longer bolt so that it opens wider?

Colin
 

eTim

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 19, 2009
607
2
Andover, Hants.

Mussels

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 17, 2008
3,207
8
Crowborough
I've just ordered one of these from the posts above:

X-Tools Workshop Prep Stand Pro Review - BikeRadar

from this place:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/Workstands-Bike-Tool-Aluminium-Workstand/BIKEWORK200000000000

at a cost of £54, there is an extra discount if you enter TOUR6 at checkout which brings the price down to £51 and that's with free delivery (unfortunately I found the code a few seconds after pressing the order button).
Unfortunately I don't think the jaws will open wide enough, it's very similar to the Velomann I had before. The Park tools one looks good with a 3" opening but I haven't seen them in stock yet.
 

103Alex1

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 29, 2012
2,228
67
Looking at getting a Park Tools stand for use with Agattu Step-Through and possibly another bike not (yet) converted. There are 2 models under consideration :

Park Home Mechanic Repair Stand PCS10 : Bikes | Mountain Bikes | Road Bikes| Winstanleys Cycles

and

Park Home Mechanic Repair Stand PCS9 : Bikes | Mountain Bikes | Road Bikes| Winstanleys Cycles

Are these likely to be suitable (I have waded through quite a lot of the threads and conclusion is that I think so !) ...

and if so, is the PCS-10 really worth the extra money ?

If I understand it right the big advantage is the single action needed to clamp the bike when it is in the jaws. This would seem to be preferable if you want to clamp a heavier bike off the ground ? Are there likely to be limitations as to where the bike is clamped using either of the above ?

Many thanks.
 

GaRRy

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 18, 2012
1,019
3
Tamworth
Looking at getting a Park Tools stand for use with Agattu Step-Through and possibly another bike not (yet) converted. There are 2 models under consideration :

Park Home Mechanic Repair Stand PCS10 : Bikes | Mountain Bikes | Road Bikes| Winstanleys Cycles

and

Park Home Mechanic Repair Stand PCS9 : Bikes | Mountain Bikes | Road Bikes| Winstanleys Cycles

Are these likely to be suitable (I have waded through quite a lot of the threads and conclusion is that I think so !) ...

and if so, is the PCS-10 really worth the extra money ?

If I understand it right the big advantage is the single action needed to clamp the bike when it is in the jaws. This would seem to be preferable if you want to clamp a heavier bike off the ground ? Are there likely to be limitations as to where the bike is clamped using either of the above ?

Many thanks.
Both should do the job.

PCS-10 is a bit more sturdy and stable and also the clamp locking mechanism has a quick lock/unlock feature which does make it a bit easier to get bike on and off.

If your not in a real hurry may be worth waiting till Lidl/Aldi have some of their own in again. Not as heavy duty but a lot of people on here say they are very good for the price.

Me I have a PCS-10
 

eHomer

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 20, 2012
635
164
Over the past 15 years I've tried two different work stands. My original one was a bottom bracket mounting one which I believe was a Clark. It was very sturdy and unfolded just like an ironing board, with a short up stand to cradle the down-tube.

The main problem was the lack of versatility in where it could grip the bike and, as already mentioned on this thread, there are a number of bikes that could not accommodate the bottom bracket cup.

I replaced it about 10 years ago with the X tools model linked by the thread;s opening poster: X-Tools Workshop Prep Stand Pro Review - BikeRadar

This has served me well with a wide variety of bikes.

On the minus side, the plastic clamp and swivel creaks and groans alarmingly with very heavy bikes, but has never given way or broken.

Aside from that, it is very light, very stable when open, and folds very small.

The telescopic main support allows me to clamp the crossbar and still have the axles at eye level, the limiting factor being the height of the garage ceiling !

Aside from a wide range of conventional bikes with all sorts of wide and narrow section tubes, it takes the weight of my electric bikes without collapsing (though with the occasional creak already mentioned).

The biggest test is my "Bernardi Buzz", (do I get drummed out of this forum now for mentioning an infernal combustion bike now :) ?) On a Dawes unisex hybrid, that weighs 29 kg, and the only problem is lifting the damn thing up on to the clamp....

infernal_combustion.jpg
 
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C

Cyclezee

Guest
I have 2 of the Lidl type (LIDL)

The second one was bought for a friend, he didn't use it and has given it back, so it is available for the Lidl price plus delivery.
 

jerrysimon

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 27, 2009
3,292
112
Cambridge, UK
Buy cheap buy twice!

I have now updated my cheap stand to a Park Tool PCS-10 one earlier this year. There is a cheaper PCS-9 Home Mechanic Repair Stand but this is much better. Wish I had purchased one of these first time round.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=12702

This thing is built like a tank, stands rock solid, the jaws are excellent and I can rotate my Brompton 360 degrees upside down if needed :p

PS just click the reviews and read.

Regards

Jerry
 
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muckymits

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 31, 2011
419
2
I have semi/perm loan of an old cast-iron stand and despite its weight it still wanders when running motors, easy solved by using 2 spare Powabyke battery boxes. Nothing will move it then ;)