February 12, 20233 yr Hi All, Looking to buy a decent bike stand for maintenance/on going fettling. Anyone have any advice? Park Tool kit is well out of my financial capabilities but willing to spend up to £100 or so if that's what it takes. I've been looking around and although I see plenty which say E-Bike in the description I have my doubts they are strong or stable enough. So, anyone bought one in my price range that they are happy with? I'm hoping Amazon as I have a £50 voucher burning a hole in my pocket. Thanks in advance TTFN John.
February 12, 20233 yr Author Interesting, I've seen these but had reservations about their stability and strength when used with an E-Bike. But if you guys are using them then I guess my fears are unfounded. I'll drop down and see if they are in stock. Thanks guys. TTFN John.
February 12, 20233 yr This looks similar to the one [mention=27160]jimriley[/mention] found in the middle of Lidl, but the baldy at Aldi didn't have any. £27-ish, claimed 30kg capacity. I hoist my bike up using a suspension trainer attached to the ceiling at present. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adjustable-Maintenance-Workstand-Adjustment-Four-legged/dp/B08MFG2BVR/ref= "Rusta" isn't a great name for a steel clamp https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rusta-Bicycle-Workshop-Support-Maintenance/dp/B09BZGG6BM/ref= Edited February 13, 20233 yr by guerney
February 12, 20233 yr it will hold it but that's about it and all i really need it to do. that was my old one but the new one is pretty much the same and from lidl.
February 13, 20233 yr It's unlikely that the stand (I have similar from amazon), will be strong enough vertical locking so for me when my rear hub is on the bike (1500W), I cannot raise the stand as it's too heavy for the screw locks to hold and main stand tube slides down to min height meaning bike is not really raised much. It works OK with rear wheel off, it's strong enough to hold. If the LIDL version IS strong enough then please post back!
February 13, 20233 yr Has anyone tried the floor to ceiling bike stands? Aldi's sub £25 cheapo (which I have never seen for sale) claims 20kg weight capacity per arm: https://www.aldi.co.uk/bikemate-floor-to-ceiling-bike-stand/p/020578298050900 Topeak's version: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-dual-touch-bike-stand/rp-prod28862?gs= Oak version, 90kg total capacity: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362907169687?hash= Edited February 13, 20233 yr by guerney
February 13, 20233 yr Can you, or do you know anyone who can weld. Square steel box section welded up into a frame, and you can buy the clamp bit separately.
February 13, 20233 yr Thanks to my metalwork teacher at school, oxyacetylene torch welding of steel I could do, if I had one, alternatively big nuts and bolts could form something sturdy... but I'm not convinced that any of the clamps I've found thus far are suitably strong enough - clamps with jaws the right shape to hold bikes are plastic, not steel, and none seem to open wide enough for my particular bike's frame tubing. I'll stick to my ceiling hoist for now. If the jaws of this "Rusta" opened wide enough, I'd screw it to the end of a bench, or bolt it through a big piece of wood and clamp that to a bench. It's rated for 30kg allegedly, and the bike wouldn't have far to fall, if it's a low bench. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rusta-Bicycle-Workshop-Support-Maintenance/dp/B09BZGG6BM/ref=
February 13, 20233 yr It's unlikely that the stand (I have similar from amazon), will be strong enough vertical locking so for me when my rear hub is on the bike (1500W), I cannot raise the stand as it's too heavy for the screw locks to hold and main stand tube slides down to min height meaning bike is not really raised much. It works OK with rear wheel off, it's strong enough to hold. That's not surprising that it can't hold a moped , the motor alone is probably 8kg alone. They will though hold up most pedelecs quite safely.
February 13, 20233 yr Halfords bike stand I bought this one. It works for me with a 20+ kg bike. Wouldn't be without it.
February 13, 20233 yr Halfords bike stand I bought this one. It works for me with a 20+ kg bike. Wouldn't be without it. Do you know what weight your ebike is (I weighed mine holding bike on bathroom scales then subtracted my weight)? That Halfords stand you linked is rated for 25kg load, will it actually hold that weight with no slippage? I bough this one here from amazon about a yr ago and used it a lot to prep my frame for the ebike build. When built I did try my ebike with battery removed and frame/rear hub adds up to 24kg in total (30kg with battery), I tried this in the stand but when the vertical is extended the clamps don't hold it and it slides down to default height, I was a little annoyed tbh it wouldn't hold 24kg. I just had another look and spec does claim it can hold 30kg however I am sceptical as said.... When my back is better I'll try again, maybe I can adjust the clamps to be tighter.
February 14, 20233 yr re the sliding down business, try a jubilee clip around the relevant tube, that should learn it!
February 14, 20233 yr If I remember correctly, my Carrera Crossfuse is 24kg with the battery on. I usually take it off when working on the bike. It makes it easier to lift, so probably just over 21 kg is what I put on the stand. It'll be a little bit weightier than the standard spec, as I've put mudguards, a carrier, Marathon Plus tyres (they're surprisingly heavy), a suspension seatpost and a side-stand on. Edited February 14, 20233 yr by ArthurG
February 14, 20233 yr That Halfords stand you linked is rated for 25kg load, will it actually hold that weight with no slippage? It wont hold it. the top section will slip, I've had that happen to a standard MTB weighing about 13kg. Clamped on the seatrpost theres a lot of bike overhanging and that moved it so i needed to reposition to a more centralized position. Thing about moving it is the pedals dont clear the upright section. 25+kg bike, its unlikely.
February 14, 20233 yr I had a quick play with the stand tonight, if the horizontal clamp on the top tube is moved closer to rear the bike will site almost horizontal, any further over towards the front of bike and rear wheel drops down. Interestingly the vertical tube at the back has been moved up an inch or so and clamped and it's now appearing to hold the bike after I had a play with it. Unfortunately the bike at 25kg is too heavy for me to lift any higher to do a proper height test as I'm home alone this week and need an extra pair of hands to lift it and tighten clamp...
February 14, 20233 yr [mention=36783]portals[/mention] - If you haven't done so already, perhaps give the tube and clamp interior a good clean with isopropyl alcohol to remove any oil or polish, which could be reducing friction? Edited February 14, 20233 yr by guerney
February 14, 20233 yr re the sliding down business, try a jubilee clip around the relevant tube, that should learn it! Thanks, I'll have a look at that, not sure if it's possible though with the stand I have as I'd need to clamp the plastic part (that I fear under hose clamp pressure will snap), to the metal tube. [mention=36783]portals[/mention] - If you haven't done so already, perhaps give the tube and clamp interior a good clean with isopropyl alcohol to remove any oil or polish, which could be reducing friction? I shall try this as I do have 99.9% IPA that I use to clean the bed on my printer, good idea, thanks!
February 15, 20233 yr I shall try this as I do have 99.9% IPA that I use to clean the bed on my printer, good idea, thanks! Worth a go, but it might not work - some plastics are too elastic. If it doesn't work, I'd try lightly roughening the inner surface of the plastic clamp using sandpaper, and very lightly roughening the metal tube's paintwork using the (dry) rough non "non-scratch" type scourer side of a kitchen sponge, wire wool, or fine sandpaper. Edited February 15, 20233 yr by guerney
February 15, 20233 yr Thanks, I'll have a look at that, not sure if it's possible though with the stand I have as I'd need to clamp the plastic part (that I fear under hose clamp pressure will snap), to the metal tube. I shall try this as I do have 99.9% IPA that I use to clean the bed on my printer, good idea, thanks! I was envisioning the jubilee clip going round the metal tube so it cannot slide down into the plastic, presuming it's the vertical tube that is slipping.
February 15, 20233 yr I was envisioning the jubilee clip going round the metal tube so it cannot slide down into the plastic, presuming it's the vertical tube that is slipping. OK, I see what you mean, attach jubilee clamp where I've marked in yellow (or further down tube for more height) or so it's TIGHT against vertical tube, this should then stop slippage, will probably need to be careful and not over-tighten the clip when wrenching tight Thanks, will give it a go, don't have a clip large enough so will need to order one
February 15, 20233 yr I tried the stand again lifting up ebike with help, after fiddling with stock clamp it will hold ebike in place vertically! I'd like it maybe 6 inches higher so will try that too at some point. So it will take 24.5kg (weight of my bike) as it's rated for 30kg however not going to try the max by adding in the 4.5kg (52V 17.5Ah) battery pack. I have to admit I'm slightly nervous it will decide to collapse in the middle of night damaging the rear hub so I've placed an old white chair with old cushions on it underneath rear wheel just in case... I plan on leaving the ebike in the stand for a cpl of weeks and will report back if it does break anything or collapses....
February 17, 20233 yr https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BNTORQUESTAND/jobsworth-torque-wrench-and-workstand-bundle?wgu=297670_116019_16766270581277_ee4bed5031&wgexpiry=1708163058&source=webgains&siteid=116019 Max load 25kg. £30 at this moment with extra torque wrench. Try code ADLCPLX20 for 20% discount.
February 17, 20233 yr Thanks to my metalwork teacher at school, oxyacetylene torch welding of steel I could do, if I had one, alternatively big nuts and bolts could form something sturdy... but I'm not convinced that any of the clamps I've found thus far are suitably strong enough - clamps with jaws the right shape to hold bikes are plastic, not steel, and none seem to open wide enough for my particular bike's frame tubing. I'll stick to my ceiling hoist for now. If the jaws of this "Rusta" opened wide enough, I'd screw it to the end of a bench, or bolt it through a big piece of wood and clamp that to a bench. It's rated for 30kg allegedly, and the bike wouldn't have far to fall, if it's a low bench. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rusta-Bicycle-Workshop-Support-Maintenance/dp/B09BZGG6BM/ref= This looks identical to my cheapo Amazon job. The problem is not the weight of an ebike (just take the battery off) The steel tubes lock together with plastic moldings with tightening clamps as above. Unfortuanetly, after no time at all, all the joints stop been completely lockable resulting in the bike been easly moved (though still safe to work on) Some of the gaps which should tighten up end up been completly closed meaning you can't fully tighten it up. I tried filing down the plastic to make the gap bigger but it wasn't really the answer. My advice would be to look for a stand with metal joints as I think all the very cheap ones might have this fundamentle plastic problem.
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