Why are bike stands so darned expensive?

liversedge
liversedge Posts: 1,003
edited May 2009 in Workshop
I mean its not like they are complicated, a bit of steel tubing some rubber feet and a clamp.I really want to get one cause I'm getting fed up with crouching or compromising with an upside down bike, but come on ... £150-200 ???

Any consensus on the best vfm option ?
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Obsessed is just a word elephants use to describe the dedicated. http://markliversedge.blogspot.com

Comments

  • Eddy S
    Eddy S Posts: 1,013
    I bought the Argos version of that stand about 3 or 4 years ago. Works perfectly, is mostly nice and stable and is good VFM. I've never felt the need to go rushing out to buy a 'better'. more expensive one.
    I’m a sprinter – I warmed up yesterday.
  • cyclingtaz
    cyclingtaz Posts: 326
    does anyone have any ideas for a home made one as i want one but even 40 pounds is out of my price range
    "you tried your best and failed miserably. the lesson is never to try"
  • gundersen
    gundersen Posts: 586
    I hang my bikes when I work on them. Always have.

    Except when tightening my ultra torque cranks.

    Two hooks in the cieling. Two straps with hooks on each end. A hook to stem and the other to the saddle.
    Ok mine is a dutch set but can easily be homemade. Have hung bikes with rope under trees when turing in foreign countries.

    The advantage is that it is always at the right height.
  • ExeterSimon
    ExeterSimon Posts: 830
    Everything in the bike world is over expensive and will continue to be as long as us muppets keep buying the stuff.
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  • guilliano
    guilliano Posts: 5,495
    Or for as long as there is a manufacturer, then a worldwide distributor, then a UK distributor, then a bike shop.... all making a small profit off the item, not to mention couriers and shipping companies, or packaging manufacturers, or material manufacturers and all the associated companies to get the material made into tubes/sheets etc and sent to factories. Then of course you have the companies that make the machines involved in the processes........ I'd be very surprised if a Dura Ace rear mech (for example) cost more than £6 to make.
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    When you work on bikes all day you can see where the money goes into workstands.
    The base alone on a Park is around £400 and their is a waiting list.
    A cheap one will do the same job but not as securely and stubborn jobs will require anotherpair of hands in most cases.

    If you want a cheap stand try these http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/ws-100-workstand-3960349/
  • shogunsteve
    shogunsteve Posts: 209
    Its the old story of its not just what you see you are paying for, but all the behind scenes stuff too.

    I had someone weld me one which has been amazing and it cost £50 and its really strong and stable.

    Speak to a local welder to you, and see if he can help
  • rickhotrod
    rickhotrod Posts: 181
    Park PCS-9 is built to last and is under gbp70 if you shop around. Only bike mechanics who work on bikes for hundreds of hours per year need better than this!
  • nmcgann
    nmcgann Posts: 1,780
    The Minoura W3100 is pretty good. (I've got an earlier version of this design)

    Merlin cycles have them for £70.

    Neil
    --
    "Because the cycling is pain. The cycling is soul crushing pain."
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    They don't have to be expensive. I got my one from Edinburgh Bicycles, their Tune Up Revolution workstand for £50 in their sale a few months back.

    It's the same model as the Fat Spanner one in cullen_bay's response. It works well and I'm happy ...
  • fortyone
    fortyone Posts: 166
    Raleigh do a simple stand to raise the rear wheel of the ground which is fine for me, and allows me to set the gears perfectly. Cost about £12.00, I think at Amazon
  • El Gordo
    El Gordo Posts: 394
    I'm sure a decent stand makes things a bit easier but all you really need is some way of lifting the rear wheel off the floor. I have a piece of wood which hinges off the wall of my shed at just the right height to sit under the crossbar. It's far from perfect but it does the job and cost nothing.
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Another vote for the minoura, it's lovely and built to last a lifetime.

    But, if you don't want to spend that, Tesco is selling bike hooks for £1 a pair just now. 2 of those plus some bits of wood and you'll have something adequate.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • The Mechanic
    The Mechanic Posts: 1,277
    I have the Revolution stand as well. I've had it for 3 or 4 years now. Perfect for me.
    I have only two things to say to that; Bo***cks
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    Wappygixer wrote:

    What the...?

    Initially it tells me it's £29.95, I try to check availability in Stockpost and it tells me it's £34.95 there ! If I switch over to any of their other 6 UK stores it tells me it is indeed £29.95
    - have they got some strange idea that Stockport is posh and so they can charge extra ???
  • guilliano
    guilliano Posts: 5,495
    Stockport IS posh..... compared to Blackburn
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    Nah.
    People who live in Stockport might think it's posh, might insist it's in Cheshire, but I can't imagine those who live in Wilmslow or Alderley Edge agreeing with them.
  • Brocade
    Brocade Posts: 433
    There are a bunch of alternatives under £50 including p+p on eBay. I bought one for £45 and it's pretty high quality.
    BMC Pro Machine
    Enigma Ego
  • sicrow
    sicrow Posts: 791
    Stockport is posh compared compared to Blackburn, but then so is Beirut
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    £5 difference but how much extra would it cost in petrol to go to another store?
    £35 is still pretty cheap for a work stand all the same
  • Cheshley
    Cheshley Posts: 1,448
    +1 for the Fat Spanner stand, works a treat :D
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