Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsA sturdy, portable workstand superior to clamping stands for thin-walled aluminum and non-circular carbon tubed bikes
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2014
This is an astonishingly good workstand. For bike tools I will use a lot, I generally only buy Park--they are functional, long-lasting, well-engineered, comfortable to use, and a terrific value. However, upstart Feedback Sports has absolutely nailed it with this workstand.
First, the background: thin-walled aluminum and non-circular carbon tubes have made my old clamp workstand obsolete--to clamp the bike tightly enough that it doesn't flop around risks crushing the tubes. And the flopping from less-snug clamps presents its own risks to repairs or digits that may be in the line of flop-fire. This stand mounts the bike at its front fork, just like a roof rack. It can adjust to different drop-out sizes. That is the only fixed mount point; the rest of the bike rests upon the bottom bracket which is cradled between two firm plastic rails.
The rack is very sturdy. With the legs extended, my bike does not tip over, no matter where it is positioned on the horizontal boom.
The bike's position can be adjusted many ways. The boom itself can slide to balance the bike over the center vertical support. The fork mount and bottom bracket cradle slide on the boom. The boom can be raised or lowered to a comfortable position whether you are sitting or standing to work. The bike can be fixed or allowed to rotate freely around the vertical axis. (An assembly note: when the boom is hinged up you must slide the slotted track onto the bolt head [called the "screw" in the directions]. To do so, put the quick release down, push the bolt head up and into the opening on the slotted track underneath the boom. Once the bolt is in the track, use the quick release to clamp it down.)
The rack is portable. Flipping down the quick release allows the boom to slide along the restraining bolt until it can hinge downward, in parallel with the center column. The legs fold up. The entire thing is a tidy, manageable package that you could secure with a bungie cord, or put in the optional carry case. The normal trade for portability vs. sturdiness seems to have been cheated. This stand will be a snap to take to 'cross races for repairs and cleanup.
Finally, the finish is surprisingly elegant. I wasn't looking for this, nor do I particularly value it, but I am surprised how pleasing the brushed red aluminum look is. Maybe I will feel differently about it after it gets grimy. But for now: wow!