Ken's Inexpensive, Space Saving, Easy to Build, Bike Stand

This stand is inexpensive because it uses a few dollars (literally) of parts from a hardware store. It is space saving since it knocks down completely for storage (and uses a bench vice you may already have). Finally it is trivial to construct; you just screw it together and clamp it in a vice. It knocks down faster than any collapsible 'home' stand, and is as stable as any shop stand (although possibly not as versatile).

Curious how this is possible? Here is a photo (click for a higher resolution image):

Ken's Stand: The jaws are a commercial variety available from a number of bicycle catalogs. I purchased mine from a buddy from SGI, Archer Sully, but I have seen photos of apparently the same jaws in a variety of recent catalogs.

The jaws came with the big T-handle shown. I puchased a long threaded carriage bolt, a long piece of pipe (the vertical one) threaded on one side, a female pipe T, a flat flange piece, and very short double threaded piece of pipe and a large washer (used between the T-handle and the pipe T).

Everything threads together in the expected manner.

I uses a thread lock compound to keep everything tight, but that is probably not needed.

My cheap (made in China) torpedo style metal working vice rotates on two axes, and contains pipe gripping jaws.

All told, I can adjust the bicycle's height, then rotate it in 4 axes (well realy 3, 2 are rather similar).

As you can see, my vice is mounted to the corner of my work table. This provides a very stable base, but unfortunately can get in the way of the bike in certain positions. I have considered providing a bend, and reverse bend in both ends of the long vertical pipe to position the bike away from the bench, but it really works too well for me to bother with!

I use the stand when washing, changing flats, trueing, tuning, etc. the bike. Couldn't imagine being without it!

Please email me your suggestions, or experiences.

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