Fork vs tube mount workstand?

Capt.Ramjet

Hi,

I want to buy a workstand to help me work on and clean my bikes. I'm a little confused whether a fork mount or tube mount stand is better for DIY mechanical and cleaning duties. I've read some pros and cons, but any advice would be welcome.

Also do the fork-mount stands have issues for bikes with cables running under the bottom bracket? It seems like the BB contact point would crush the cable guides.

Many thanks.

StillGoing

If you mean something like the Parktool Team Race stands, then no they don't cause a problem for cables under the bottom bracket. I used to use a stand that clamped to the seat post or top tube, but they are too unstable for my liking and you have to keep mounting and unmounting to work on the opposite side. I find the Team stand far easier to work with and no need to clamp and tubing. I can work either side of the bike, it swivels if I want, rises up and down as I want so I can sit to work on a bike or stand, and is easy to fold away.

DKay

I recently upgraded from a seatpost clamping workstand to a 'fork-mount' Tacx T3075 and its a very worthwhile purchase. The Tacx is just so much more stable and made building up my last bike a lot much easier. Plus, you're not putting stress on fragile frame tubes.

There is a good reason that bike shops and team mechanics only use fork-mount workstands.

paul64

I have both. For cleaning I prefer the top tube clamp as the bike is held away from the stand and the front wheel is also in place to check the front wheel as well as the rear, caliper alignment etc. If I'm building a bike, re-taping bars and want the bike held more solidly then I use the fork mount (Tacx Spider 3050 or something like that from memory). Either will do the job really.

Capt.Ramjet

Thanks. I've ordered the Elite fork-mount (team) stand on sale at w1ggle.