workstands and carbon fibre bikes

northernneil
northernneil Posts: 1,549
edited April 2009 in Workshop
just bought myself a professional workstand so I can fettle much easier, its a stand that has a clamp which can clamp onto any part of the bike, top tube, down tube, seat post etc. It says however not to clamp carbon fibre frames, which my ribble is, even the seat post is carbon fibre. This is meant tp be the same stand used by several pro teams so they must have carbon bikes ! whats the advice you can give me on using the stand properly, all thoughts appreciated.

Cheers

Neil

Comments

  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Seatpost will be your best bet. As it's usually quite strong compared to other parts of the frame.

    They don't want you to clamp onto carbon fibre as you might overtighten it and crack your frame, scratch it, etc. But a seatpost can handle that pressure....

    Just make sure it's padded/protected before tightening so you don't scratch anything.
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    Or you can buy seatposts specifically for clamping in a workstand (internal seattube clamps):

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=17707
    http://www.cyclesportsuk.co.uk/product_ ... cts_id=820
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Clamp it by the carbon seat post.

    They are pretty thick walled, and get clamped by the seat clamp anyway, so a stand won't make any difference.
    I like bikes...

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  • DC Ayr
    DC Ayr Posts: 33
    Or get yourself a metal seat post to use specifically with your workstand. If you use your LBS often, they may even give you an old 2nd hand one gratis - mine did and it works a treat. :D
    The specific seat posts shown above will probably be more versatile - but you have to pay for it!
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    I hasten to add, though I have linked to some Park gizmos above, I simply clamp my carbon seatpost into my workstand.
  • grahamcp
    grahamcp Posts: 323
    Just realised you said you got the stand already.

    I was going to suggest something like this...

    http://www.tacx.com/producten.php?fl=tr ... der%20Team

    I guess most stands are designed for clamping to seat posts, but I'd still be a bit nervous. Similar to turbo trainers - If I'd spent several K on a nice carbon frame I wouldn't want to take any risks.

    I'd certainly fire off a query to the manufacturer/distributer/LBS to check there aren't any warranty implications or other issues.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Many pro mechanics use a stand that clamps at the drop-outs, that said, I clamp all my carbon frames in a workstand for light work - you can adjust them so as not to crush the frame - but if I'm applying any heavy forces e.g. BB cups, I stand the bike on the ground. TBH if you don't know how to use a workstand and crush a frame, you shouldn't be left alone with a bike and tools!
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Shezzer
    Shezzer Posts: 229
    I usually clamp to my carbon seat post but then tilt the whole bike downwards so most of the weight is taken by the front wheel being on the floor. This works if I'm playing with the rear mech, cable adjuster etc but might not have the bike at the right height for other work. In those cases I put a thick rag around the top tube and gently tighten the clamp over that. Seems to work fine for me but will let you know if my top tube suddenly snaps in half while I'm out on the bike.
  • Pork Sword
    Pork Sword Posts: 213
    I've been lightly 'level clamping' my Deda Nero Corsa carbon frame by the top tube for a while now with no obvious signs or sounds of cracking... yet! I wouldn't want to ride any frame that's not up to being held with a light pressure in my rubber padded workstand jaws to be honest although I would use the seatpost for any heavy tasks such as fitting bb or chainset. Any job that can be done whilst the bike is standing on the floor is tackled that way.

    I'm sure that the advice not to clamp Carbon frames is soley aimed at those ham-fisted types who shouldn't really be working on their own bikes anyway - I second MontyDog on that one! :)
    let all your saddles be comfy and all your rides less bumpy....
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    I bought a Park PRS20 drop-out clamping race workstand for fettling my composite-framed Giant. It's handy as an "on location" stand as well for extended mountain bike trips; my main stand weighs about 100 lbs and isn't the most practical of things to carry in the car. The only drawback with the race stand is that it won't play with bikes with mudguards, which is a minor annoyance.