workstands- what is necessary for carbon?

[rglewisjr]

I am currently building a new bike, and need a workstand. I think I want a Parks PCS-20, but have some questions. I do think a standard downtube clamp would be the most versatile stand, but with a new carbon frame, I do worry about clamping the tubes. The PCS- 20 seems to solve this issue by strapping the BB and clamping at the dropouts.

My issue is that I am not sure that a PCS-20 (which has dropout clamps) will be able to work with the other family bikes, ie kids bikes, when needed. I am not sure if there is a difference in dropout width and whether the stand can accommodate that.

Should I get a frame clamp and just be careful about clamp pressure, or will the PCS-20 work for other, non road bikes?

thanks

[FatTireFred]

you don't have to clamp it tight... or you can use the sp if round

[sgtgeo]

+1 I try to only use the seat post. Even if its carbon much cheaper to replace then the frame if it gets crunched

[ClassicSteel71]

+1 I try to only use the seat post. Even if its carbon much cheaper to replace then the frame if it gets crunched

Don't try. ONLY CLAMP ON THE POST...

[bigbill]

I have the park stand and it's easy to use. I don't have any carbon bikes, I just like the stand.

[Mel Erickson]

Don't try. ONLY CLAMP ON THE POST...

Sometimes it's not possible to clamp on the post. Not enough exposed post, too wide a clamp. It's fine to clamp on the seat tube near the junction with the top tube/seat cluster. The post is inside the seat tube in this area, especially if there isn't much seatpost exposed, and reinforces the seat tube. I've done this plenty of times and it's perfectly safe.

[FatTireFred]

Sometimes it's not possible to clamp on the post. Not enough exposed post, too wide a clamp. It's fine to clamp on the seat tube near the junction with the top tube/seat cluster. The post is inside the seat tube in this area, especially if there isn't much seatpost exposed, and reinforces the seat tube. I've done this plenty of times and it's perfectly safe.

you can always pull the post out farther, if there is length (usually, these days)

[Stogaguy]

I have adapted this response form one of my earlier posts in a similar thread.

I have a Park PRS-20 and recommend it very highly. As you know, it is a "euro" style repair stand that supports the bottom bracket in a cradle and clamps the dropouts (front or rear). For most operations, I clamp the fork end or drop out and do not bother with the BB strap.

Advantages:

• Super stable.
• You never have to worry about crushing or marring a tube or seatpost by clamping.
• Folds very small for storage or transport.
• Accommodates any bike with 100mm front fork ends. This includes all of the kid's bikes and "cruisers" I have tried in it.

Disadvantages:

• Price. At about $200, it is not cheap. (Well worth it IMHO)
• Does not allow you to flip the bike upside down like a conventional clamp style stand.
• Only accommodates 130 mm and 135 mm rear drop outs (current "road" and "mountain" standards). I can make my old steel 126 mm spaced bikes fit no problem, but a 120 mm ("track") spaced bike probably would not fly.

Here is a link to Park's website:
http://www.parktool.com/products/det...23&item=PRS-20

Here is a link to the original thread:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/sho...70417#poststop

[olr1]

Ummmm, you don't actually need a workstand to build a bike....

[jmlapoint]

+1 Park PRS-20
Only Clamp Seat Post.

PARK PRS-20 TEAM RACE STAND

[DHallerman]

The seat post doesn't always work.

But the Park Internal Seat Tube Clamp (ISC-4) will work with any workstand, any bike.

Worth it, if you also like to make your wrenching life easier.

[rglewisjr]

Ummmm, you don't actually need a workstand to build a bike....

Ok....yea I would prefer not to buy one if possible, but how do you fine tune the front and rear derailleurs without? Seems like it would be pretty hard. I am really curious, if I can get any without, then I may. Currently still waiting on the group being mailed.

thanks

[livin4lax09]

flip it upside down.

[Squidward]

If your bike doesn't use a non-round seatpost then just buy a cheap, used aluminum seatpost from fleabay that fits and swap that in every time you need to use the workstand.

[olr1]

Umm, you lean the bike against a wall, get the derailleurs about right, then ride it and tweak as appropriate.

Or, and this is the advanced stage; turn the bike upside down and set your gears that way, but don't tell everyone, or they'll all be trying it....

[danl1]

Ok....yea I would prefer not to buy one if possible, but how do you fine tune the front and rear derailleurs without? Seems like it would be pretty hard. I am really curious, if I can get any without, then I may. Currently still waiting on the group being mailed.

thanks

Have a trainer?

There are also the bike stands that grab the stays. Not much use for anything but a tuneup, but if you are cutting it cheap, it's $25 or so.

I love my PRS-20, but wouldn't mind having a traditional clamp-style for odd bikes and for cleaning, etc.