When I started servicing my bikes I clamped mine from the top tube of the frame. Every ride is a reminder of one bad decision as I see the scratch there, every time I ride. Scratches off trail hurt more.
I have a bike stand. I clamp it the way you do it in this video (on the seat post). It scares me because my bike is a bit heavy (around 15Kg). I'm worried that I might crack the seat tube because clamping on the seat post is forcing the bike upright while it is naturally nose heavy. Please enlighten me.
And remember not to force the bike level when hanging from the seatpost. Let the bike hang in its natural angle and the seatpost should be vertical. Otherwise it may stress the dropper too much if you force the bike level.
I clamp to the top tube as I have an aluminum framed hardtail. I also don't clamp it tight with my centre aisle German stand. It seems to sit nicely. It just feels too heavy and unwieldy when I try and clamp the seat post, but I'm sure if I had a carbon frame I'd go the seat post.
Not too long ago, we were building a new frame out that we didn’t know was already cracked, but when clamped tightly to the top tube we heard a crack and saw that there was a big crack down the top tube. We then looked at the pictures we took of it before, and noticed the same crack but a little less big. We then got it fixed and it is now in working order.
Rick. Have the same Park stand. Usually clamp onto the upper seatpost like you; but, also just hang the bike by resting the underside of the nose of the seat on the backside of the plastic-protected clamp for minor jobs (like lubricating the chain). Used to have a higher-end Park stand with a weighted base; but, it was cumbersome to move about and store.
Great video Rich. I always forget to extend the clamp arm so that I can spin the cranks when checking gears and cleaning/lubing the chain. Without extending that arm, the pedals hit the vertical tube. As a newbie, I made the mistake of clamping to the top tube but after watching videos like this, I was set straight. Thanks GMBN!!
Regarding the clamp on frame, imo it’s only an issue with Carbon frames. You don’t have to worry too much about clamping too hard on an aluminium or Titanium frame. Ofc do be mindful that you don’t scratch your frame paint while doing so
IO switched to a carbon frame (road, but that's not important in this equation), and I ditched my cheap clamp stand, and switched to a Feedback Sports Sprint, which secures the bike through either the front or rear axle and rests on the bottom bracket, and I can spin the bike on the spot. That thing is brilliant, highly recommend this type of stand.
Not just carbon frames If you look at the tube catalogue for for bike tubes. Some high end triple butted aluminium tubes get down to 0.5mm wall thickness in the middle you don't want to be clamping things like that in a work stand.
Looking in the German market is a great tip. Here in the USA, I got my repair stand at an ALDI a few years ago for something like $40 USD on clearance. For the price it's great, but it definitely has some shortcomings. Definitely is awkward when clamping the seatpost, though.
I fumbled about with a homemade bike stand made of 2X4s for a few months before I wised up and invested in a proper collapsible one. Makes maintenance and repair infinitely easier. I admit I'm guilty of clamping external brake cables on a road bike in the beginning. 😆
I have the Feedback Sports Pro Elite stand. It's fine for a normal bike but despite a load rating suggesting otherwise, it doesn't do well with my ebike on it. If I had the option to return it, I would.
Just got the same bike stand and didn’t realize there were specifics on where to clamp. Have been clamping around top tube (thankfully not too tight. Will be changing that and using the seat post. THANK YOU
Funny, I've seen people say on forums and FB to never pickup a bike by the dropper post, so I also changed my clamping position to the frame. Going to go back to the dropper post now.
My bike is quite heavy (37 pounds) so I don't use the seat post. I'm just not comfortable, and even less comfortable with rotating while clamped to the post. I use the top tube but only clamp as tight as it needs to be. I have a vertical shock so lots of room. If I have to take a wheel off, I adjust the clamping position so it's balanced.
I saw that you hang the bike on the stand by the dropper seat inner tube. I was shocked, thinking that the tube will bend, even very small bend and it will ruin the dropper. What is the expert’s opinion? Izzy
Geart video. I've have own a portable wreck force for over + 20 years it makes working on my bike's more enjoyable, it's one of those tools you must have, it even have a wheel adjustment so I true my rims. They sure don't make them this good anymore, this stand will be passed down to more generations to come.
One of the most useful purchases made. It is not a nice one as yours, but works good enough. Will probably update it at some point. The main problem with cheap ones is that depending the position your bike will turn to one side or the other. Other than that they get the job done easily.
even with the more expensive ones that happens. i just got done commenting that the Park Tool stand that my work just got does the same thing and it's brand new, but every bike i work on ends up tipping towards which ever end is heaviest which is usually towards the front. It's really annoying, I wish they would have added a feature to lock that part out so it can't turn.
Thanks so much for the info, but i haven't been able to clamp my bike from the dropper cause i can't get the jaws close enough the post to keep the bike still, any tips?
great video! Question here: how to keep the bike level to the floor when clamped by the seat post? (I am learning to use a chain cleaning tool and wasn't able to use it properly- the degreaser was not level in the container and spilling everywhere do to the bike tilt... Thanks!
It depends on the individual frame. Clamping on the top tube of a fragile, thin alloy road bike frame may not be the best idea, the sane with carbon fiber frames in general (carbon fiber behaves different than metal). A normal alloy MTB frame however is more than ridgid enough to take that load on the top tube (these are 2200 G frames) and with cromoly it's never a problem
i work for a lbs in which we are not permitted to put a bike in a stand non-drive side out. even if we’re fussing with a bb. our stands are bolted to stations about 1.5 feet or .5 meters from the wall so you cannot walk around the bike. can anyone tell me if this is logical or preferential?
@@komoonkh it's designed to handle your weight in compression. With it hanging from the post you are subjecting it to tension and twisting forces if you rotate it to bleed the brakes for example. I clamp on various spots depending on the work I'm doing.
My KS LEV DX dropper is externally routed thankfully, means I can disconnect in seconds and just put a standard diameter post in for putting it in the stand.... Wonder what tips they have for using bikepacking gear with a DP? So far I just swap out the post and saddle and live with manually adjusting it for climbs and descents like we did back in the day....not wrecking the DP with a muddy bag clamped to it moving around!!
Wouldnt you have the same consideration of not clamping down on your seat post too tight just as much as your frame? I would assume the frame would be stronger than the seat post, especially from a dropper post... I've always clamped my bike on the top tube but closer to the seat post where the weight is more evenly distributed (it would be able to balance on the stand even without clamping) - then I just tighten it enough to where it doesnt move around on me. So not very tight. Maybe more consideration goes into this if it's a carbon frame?
frame is normally a lot thinner materal and has a bigger cross section so is more easy damaged by compretion than the seat post, the seat post is desined to be clamped into the frame, the actual strenth of the frame compaird to the seat post dosnt really come into it in this case,
Hello Blake , hey I wanted to know that why do some bikes have only front suspension, only I just got a new huffy bike cost me all me life savings. (P.S. I hope I don’t get me bike scratch that would be 😣 horrible.)
Guessing a vid somewhere but really struggled getting rear wheel back in racked bike, any tips? ps Carbon frames could use frame protectors that you can get for car racks.
my work has a Park Tool bike stand that we just got. The one thing I don't like about it is that after clamping the bike in place the bike always inevitably ends up tipping down towards whichever end of the bike is heaviest. I always clamp the bike in level and it always ends up tipped down no matter how tight I tighten the spindle thingy on the back of the stand. Do you have any advice for this?
Here is my great idea💡💡💡 When making a how-to video of a repair stand, why not demonstrate how the stand performs? Mount an MTB/E-MTB into the jaws and maneuver it in different positions, in the same way you would while performing repairs and maintenance. As you're doing the demo, feel free to make comments regarding the dos and don'ts.
GMBN needs some fresh content... not these stupidly simple videos about basic tasks. How to use a bike stand? Really?? Sadly I'm unsubscribing from this channel since most videos seem to be made for people with no common sense whatsoever.
so learning how to maintenance,repair, and tune your own bike is a bad thing? a bike stand makes eat easier to do maintenance on a bike especially since the back wheel needs to be lifted so you can clean the chains properly
Are you utterly insane?! EVERYONE starts somewhere. I got a bike stand ONLY to wash my bike. Can do puncture repairs a bit easier perhaps too and dont risk scratching the frame when the tire is out. or the seat if upside down. I would not repair my bike myself as I have no idea how. Bike stands apparently make washing a bike much easier. I have not used mine yet though, got it only a few days ago.
Do you own a work stand? Have you ever heard any horror stories of people clamping their frame incorrectly?
I have a Bike Hand in the basement, always grab the bike by the seatpost
I’ve slightly gouged the dropper seat post not realising there was grit on it, I’ve got that stand it’s way overpriced for what it does.
Yes, game changer
When I started servicing my bikes I clamped mine from the top tube of the frame. Every ride is a reminder of one bad decision as I see the scratch there, every time I ride. Scratches off trail hurt more.
I have a bike stand. I clamp it the way you do it in this video (on the seat post). It scares me because my bike is a bit heavy (around 15Kg). I'm worried that I might crack the seat tube because clamping on the seat post is forcing the bike upright while it is naturally nose heavy. Please enlighten me.
And remember not to force the bike level when hanging from the seatpost. Let the bike hang in its natural angle and the seatpost should be vertical. Otherwise it may stress the dropper too much if you force the bike level.
I clamp to the top tube as I have an aluminum framed hardtail. I also don't clamp it tight with my centre aisle German stand. It seems to sit nicely. It just feels too heavy and unwieldy when I try and clamp the seat post, but I'm sure if I had a carbon frame I'd go the seat post.
Not too long ago, we were building a new frame out that we didn’t know was already cracked, but when clamped tightly to the top tube we heard a crack and saw that there was a big crack down the top tube. We then looked at the pictures we took of it before, and noticed the same crack but a little less big. We then got it fixed and it is now in working order.
Bought one from Halfords six years ago for £25. All nuts are stainless so no rust. Always clamp on the top tube of the aluminium frame.
Which exact one did you buy? I got the Bike Hut, Halfords Bike Stand just a few days ago. Have not used it yet. Will that one I got rust? Thanks
Rick. Have the same Park stand. Usually clamp onto the upper seatpost like you; but, also just hang the bike by resting the underside of the nose of the seat on the backside of the plastic-protected clamp for minor jobs (like lubricating the chain). Used to have a higher-end Park stand with a weighted base; but, it was cumbersome to move about and store.
Great video Rich. I always forget to extend the clamp arm so that I can spin the cranks when checking gears and cleaning/lubing the chain. Without extending that arm, the pedals hit the vertical tube. As a newbie, I made the mistake of clamping to the top tube but after watching videos like this, I was set straight. Thanks GMBN!!
Regarding the clamp on frame, imo it’s only an issue with Carbon frames. You don’t have to worry too much about clamping too hard on an aluminium or Titanium frame. Ofc do be mindful that you don’t scratch your frame paint while doing so
It may be a problem with very thin walled alloy road bike frames, but not with 2000 G + MTB alloy frames with thick tubes
IO switched to a carbon frame (road, but that's not important in this equation), and I ditched my cheap clamp stand, and switched to a Feedback Sports Sprint, which secures the bike through either the front or rear axle and rests on the bottom bracket, and I can spin the bike on the spot. That thing is brilliant, highly recommend this type of stand.
Not just carbon frames
If you look at the tube catalogue for for bike tubes. Some high end triple butted aluminium tubes get down to 0.5mm wall thickness in the middle you don't want to be clamping things like that in a work stand.
About clampung on the dropper, I did that on a kashima coated fox transfer. It didn’t go well… And I used a rag on the clamp!
Looking in the German market is a great tip. Here in the USA, I got my repair stand at an ALDI a few years ago for something like $40 USD on clearance. For the price it's great, but it definitely has some shortcomings. Definitely is awkward when clamping the seatpost, though.
I fumbled about with a homemade bike stand made of 2X4s for a few months before I wised up and invested in a proper collapsible one. Makes maintenance and repair infinitely easier.
I admit I'm guilty of clamping external brake cables on a road bike in the beginning. 😆
HAHA love my $15 Aldi bike stand, use it all the time!
Exactly. Why spend any more than $20?
If you use it frequently, it wont last as long as those park tool ones. But for us, normal mortal bicyclists, its more than enough
I have the Feedback Sports Pro Elite stand. It's fine for a normal bike but despite a load rating suggesting otherwise, it doesn't do well with my ebike on it. If I had the option to return it, I would.
do you take the battery out of the bike before putting it on the stand?
Love my Bike Hand stand.
Just got the same bike stand and didn’t realize there were specifics on where to clamp. Have been clamping around top tube (thankfully not too tight. Will be changing that and using the seat post.
THANK YOU
Funny, I've seen people say on forums and FB to never pickup a bike by the dropper post, so I also changed my clamping position to the frame. Going to go back to the dropper post now.
Got one of these this year, it's awesome for clean up and maintenance on my E-MTB makes everything so much easier.
My bike is quite heavy (37 pounds) so I don't use the seat post. I'm just not comfortable, and even less comfortable with rotating while clamped to the post. I use the top tube but only clamp as tight as it needs to be. I have a vertical shock so lots of room. If I have to take a wheel off, I adjust the clamping position so it's balanced.
Is seatpost clamping safe when you've got an e-bike or other heavy bike with dropper?
Now this is a very good question. Never thought about this one.
With alloy MTBs it won't be a problem at the top tube. E Bikes using carbon fiber frames are not that common.
@@simonm1447 US?
I saw that you hang the bike on the stand by the dropper seat inner tube.
I was shocked, thinking that the tube will bend, even very small bend and it will ruin the dropper.
What is the expert’s opinion?
Izzy
Geart video. I've have own a portable wreck force for over + 20 years it makes working on my bike's more enjoyable, it's one of those tools you must have, it even have a wheel adjustment so I true my rims. They sure don't make them this good anymore, this stand will be passed down to more generations to come.
One of the most useful purchases made. It is not a nice one as yours, but works good enough. Will probably update it at some point. The main problem with cheap ones is that depending the position your bike will turn to one side or the other. Other than that they get the job done easily.
even with the more expensive ones that happens. i just got done commenting that the Park Tool stand that my work just got does the same thing and it's brand new, but every bike i work on ends up tipping towards which ever end is heaviest which is usually towards the front. It's really annoying, I wish they would have added a feature to lock that part out so it can't turn.
I put carbon grip paste on my cheap one and it realy helped
@@KidKatree That is a clever idea. More grip just like that. I will try it out! Thanks for the tip.
Before seeing this clip I actually bought one today on sale for €20 from that well known German supermarket… looks good & sturdy too for 20 yo-yo’s!
appreciate your video, it was very helpful.
Thanks so much for the info, but i haven't been able to clamp my bike from the dropper cause i can't get the jaws close enough the post to keep the bike still, any tips?
Wrapping the seat post in a rag should do the trick. It’s the usual way of protecting carbon posts as well.
Yes I’ve been waiting my life for this video!
🏆🏁
What are your thoughts on leaving a bike (with dropper post) stored in the stand? I can’t imagine it hurts anything but thought I’d ask
I take the wheels off and put a dummy gear for the chain and brake spacers, when I plan on having the bike on the stand for a long time.
if you pull on the dropper post too much or for too long (leaving it in the stand for a long duration) you can create a vacuum in the post.
great video! Question here: how to keep the bike level to the floor when clamped by the seat post? (I am learning to use a chain cleaning tool and wasn't able to use it properly- the degreaser was not level in the container and spilling everywhere do to the bike tilt... Thanks!
That German Supermarket! Don't ignore if you wife asks you to buy something there. :)
It depends on the individual frame. Clamping on the top tube of a fragile, thin alloy road bike frame may not be the best idea, the sane with carbon fiber frames in general (carbon fiber behaves different than metal). A normal alloy MTB frame however is more than ridgid enough to take that load on the top tube (these are 2200 G frames) and with cromoly it's never a problem
That german supermarket he meant is Lidl and they have a decent stand for good price. Sometimes it goes in sale and thats exactly what I did.
And it is not that sturdy as those park tool ones. So dont put a heavy e-bike on it. But normal mtbs are no problem
i work for a lbs in which we are not permitted to put a bike in a stand non-drive side out. even if we’re fussing with a bb.
our stands are bolted to stations about 1.5 feet or .5 meters from the wall so you cannot walk around the bike.
can anyone tell me if this is logical or preferential?
Isn't clamping the seat post bad for a dropper seat post? Thought I heard that somewhere. Avoided doing so ever since
No, because it normally handles weight of you, which is much more than your bikes weight. Dont twist it tho.
@@komoonkh it's designed to handle your weight in compression. With it hanging from the post you are subjecting it to tension and twisting forces if you rotate it to bleed the brakes for example. I clamp on various spots depending on the work I'm doing.
@@komoonkh gotcha. Makes sense 👍
My KS LEV DX dropper is externally routed thankfully, means I can disconnect in seconds and just put a standard diameter post in for putting it in the stand.... Wonder what tips they have for using bikepacking gear with a DP? So far I just swap out the post and saddle and live with manually adjusting it for climbs and descents like we did back in the day....not wrecking the DP with a muddy bag clamped to it moving around!!
Wouldnt you have the same consideration of not clamping down on your seat post too tight just as much as your frame? I would assume the frame would be stronger than the seat post, especially from a dropper post... I've always clamped my bike on the top tube but closer to the seat post where the weight is more evenly distributed (it would be able to balance on the stand even without clamping) - then I just tighten it enough to where it doesnt move around on me. So not very tight. Maybe more consideration goes into this if it's a carbon frame?
frame is normally a lot thinner materal and has a bigger cross section so is more easy damaged by compretion than the seat post, the seat post is desined to be clamped into the frame, the actual strenth of the frame compaird to the seat post dosnt really come into it in this case,
I thought this was going to be a gun fight.
British tuff guy movie quote. lol
Great wee vid thanks. Have a lifeline stand from CRC and its excellent.
Thought about getting one, can't afford a expensive one sadly, so have to find a decent budget one
The park tool home versions can be had on sale. Recommend them a ton, the folding action and stability are great
@@suspicioustumbleweed4760 Thanks I'll check it out 👍
Hello Blake , hey I wanted to know that why do some bikes have only front suspension, only I just got a new huffy bike cost me all me life savings. (P.S. I hope I don’t get me bike scratch that would be 😣 horrible.)
I have the "local german supermarket middle aisle" alternative and i love it... :o)
I use a really cheap one it works week besides the fact it keeps leaning my bike front heavy and turning is
I use my stand outside to hose off and wash the bike
Guessing a vid somewhere but really struggled getting rear wheel back in racked bike, any tips? ps Carbon frames could use frame protectors that you can get for car racks.
I use a spare seatpost ; no worries 👍🏼
Liked and subbed because of your comedy routine. Oh, and the hints and tips.
Thanks for the sub!
I've had my German gem for over five years now and it not yet me as yet... Touch wood.
Work stands are great👍🤓👍
I'm in germany and none of the supermarkets in my neighbourhood has bikestands. What is he talking about?
In the USA, Aldi is a German grocery store that stocks bikestands and many other general merch items.
@@paulmarkunas4303 I've never seen any biketools in any supermarket around here. You can't even get proper biketools at Bauhaus.
It's unusual for sure.
@ that German supermarket, he is talking about lidl.
Awesome tips
my work has a Park Tool bike stand that we just got. The one thing I don't like about it is that after clamping the bike in place the bike always inevitably ends up tipping down towards whichever end of the bike is heaviest. I always clamp the bike in level and it always ends up tipped down no matter how tight I tighten the spindle thingy on the back of the stand. Do you have any advice for this?
Dont use heavy forks haha. My stand does that too, that suntour needs to go haha
🤣 🤣 🤣 It was all on the piss
Came here to make the same comment but pleased someone else laughed at that 😂
I wouldn't clamp to a suspension seat post
As long as the post is fully extended and the clamp isn't made out of sandpaper you're all good!
Sweet ❤👍🤘
Is the floor off level or was that just the camera?
Your Monitor is off level silly🙃
It's a bit trickier with heavy e-bikes - it's harder to lift and clamp them at the same time.
I'm currently buliding my own bikestand for school
Here is my great idea💡💡💡
When making a how-to video of a repair stand, why not demonstrate how the stand performs? Mount an MTB/E-MTB into the jaws and maneuver it in different positions, in the same way you would while performing repairs and maintenance. As you're doing the demo, feel free to make comments regarding the dos and don'ts.
Feels dodgy at first rotating the front of the bike up excepting the carbon to shatter at inforce of seatpost 😂
I use my stand to wash my bike all of the time.
Wheres doddy?
first
🥈🏁
Next video: how to wear a helmet like a pro
I still don't own one.....Ha
GMBN needs some fresh content... not these stupidly simple videos about basic tasks. How to use a bike stand? Really?? Sadly I'm unsubscribing from this channel since most videos seem to be made for people with no common sense whatsoever.
Are you kidding?
If you need a video on how to use your bike stand, you probably should not be working on your own bike 🤦♂️
If you like to tinker and see how things work why wouldn't you like to teach yourself to do basic repairs?.
@@dinokarakostas6407 Exactly ✊🏿✊🏼
🥱🥱
so learning how to maintenance,repair, and tune your own bike is a bad thing? a bike stand makes eat easier to do maintenance on a bike especially since the back wheel needs to be lifted so you can clean the chains properly
Are you utterly insane?! EVERYONE starts somewhere. I got a bike stand ONLY to wash my bike. Can do puncture repairs a bit easier perhaps too and dont risk scratching the frame when the tire is out. or the seat if upside down. I would not repair my bike myself as I have no idea how. Bike stands apparently make washing a bike much easier. I have not used mine yet though, got it only a few days ago.
What about e-bikes since they are a lot heavier?